Chapter 509 - 492: Her Persistence
On the Dueling Platform, Yang Ying was steadily being forced back. Ling Fei, however, maintained a solid and steady offense. Her Seven-Colored Talismans were formidable, but a Talisman Cultivator couldn’t instantly defeat a powerful Sword Cultivator.
Before long, the Sect Leader of the Taiyin Sect, Yuu Kunlun, arrived. With him was a cute girl who looked like a little fairy, but if one were to notice the mischievous glimmer in her eyes, they might just discover her true nature.
Demon Ba and Yuu Kunlun were old friends and old rivals. However, because the No Illusion Demon Sect had held an absolute advantage in the previous generation’s competition, the struggle between the two sects hadn’t been too intense. Later on, the Taiyin Sect had become preoccupied with fighting the Ten Thousand Spirits Sect for third place, paying even less mind to the No Illusion Demon Sect. But recently, the Taiyin Sect had been in the spotlight, forcing the Demon Venerable to pay them some attention.
Seeing Demon Ba, Yuu Kunlun smiled faintly. "I didn’t expect to see Brother Ba here."
Demon Ba laughed heartily. "Brother Kunlun, you’re in high spirits as well. Don’t tell me you’re thinking of making the Holy Hall a part of the Taiyin Sect?"
Even a casual remark in a conversation between two titans of the Cultivation Realm could stir up a storm.
"Brother Ba, you jest." Yuu Kunlun didn’t elaborate further in front of Demon Ba.
The relationship between the Holy Hall and the Taiyin Sect had always been ambiguous, becoming one of the mysteries of the Cultivation Realm. How could two sects that were seemingly poles apart become so entangled?
Little Chengcheng had no interest whatsoever in their conversation, her big eyes darting about.
The various Sect Leaders took their seats as the battle on the stage entered a white-hot phase. Ling Fei’s Seven-Colored Illusion Talismans flew faster and faster until the entire Dueling Platform was surrounded by them.
Yang Ying was being pushed back relentlessly. Defeat was just a moment away. If she wasn’t going to use her Holy Statue now, when would she?
Even the Holy Hall Beings were getting anxious. She shouldn’t wait until the point of no return to use her Holy Statue; by then, it would truly be too late.
But Yang Ying seemed to be gritting her teeth, stubbornly refusing to be the first to use her Holy Statue. But could she hold on?
If anyone had noticed the look in Yang Ying’s eyes, they would have spotted a clue. But in the entire arena, only one person noticed.
It wasn’t Wang Meng... but Hu Jing.
No one understood Yang Ying better than she did. Back when she was the Holy Hall’s most admired Fairy, the goddess of all the male disciples, she had fallen for Wang Meng, who was a nobody at the time. Imagine the pressure she must have faced. But Yang Ying made her choice resolutely and stuck with it, standing by him through thick and thin and remaining unshaken through it all to this very day.
Could such an outstanding woman be overlooked?
While others shone brilliantly, had she become mere decoration?
The Dueling Platform was enveloped in multicolored light. The accumulated power of the arrays surged toward Yang Ying.
BUZZ—
The force seemed to be held back, but for how long?
Ling Fei was also a little puzzled. She knew about Yang Ying’s relationship with Wang Meng and actually just wanted to end the battle peacefully.
Ling Fei stood there, as serene as a peony, noble and elegant. This was a display of an absolute gap in power.
The battles between female cultivators weren’t as brutal as those between male cultivators; power and beauty coexisted.
The light seemed to compress, and then—BOOM!
Wang Meng’s expression grew solemn. The others had no idea what was happening with Yang Ying.
VWOOM—
A white light erupted, and the seven-colored Elemental Power scattered like specks of starlight, revealing Yang Ying’s figure.
The Flying Phoenix Sword shone brilliantly. The previous attack hadn’t harmed Yang Ying at all.
But that wasn’t what shocked the entire arena. It was the enormous wings of light behind Yang Ying.
Ji Guang’s expression went slack with disbelief. As the leader of the Pure Land Knight Order, he of course understood this phenomenon: the materialization of a Holy Statue’s Origin Power. ’...But this female cultivator, how could she possess such talent???’
’She hasn’t had her Holy Statue for very long at all.’
At this moment, Yang Ying herself was enveloped in the glow of those wings, making her look even more like a fairy.
Ling Fei’s composure finally vanished. ’A Phoenix Body!’
SHING—
She lunged with her sword as Ling Fei blasted out an Illusion Talisman. This time, however, the Sword Qi cut right through the talisman. Upon closer inspection, the Sword Qi was actually a wave.
This was the ultimate manifestation of the Water of the Five Elements.
The tables turned in an instant. Yang Ying had completely seized the upper hand. Of course, Ling Fei was unwilling to be suppressed. She unleashed a raging grand array of talismans, demonstrating a masterful, effortless control.
But facing Ling Fei’s absurdly powerful grand array of Illusion Talismans, Yang Ying didn’t even try to dodge. The wings of light wrapped around her, and the moment the Illusion Talismans touched the light, they seemed to lose all control, turning into ordinary talismans and falling to the ground.
At once, the Dueling Platform fell silent. What in the world was happening?!
Ling Fei was also stunned. She couldn’t control her talismans when they neared the wings.
Yang Ying’s wings unfurled, her expression as tranquil as ever.
In attendance were not only the Holy Hall Beings but also many Holy Hall Disciples, including some who had even witnessed the Thunderlight Miracle. This was the Yang Ying everyone knew, and yet, it wasn’t.
From the very beginning, Yang Ying had been this calm and elegant. And now, here on the Star Alliance’s stage, facing the Peacock Princess Ling Fei, she was still the same.
This was the elegance of a Phoenix. She didn’t care what others thought, because she was, and always would be, herself.
Ling Fei smiled. Light bloomed forth—the Peacock Ming King Statue.
The magnificent Peacock Ming King shone with immense radiance, its seven-colored light blanketing the entire Dueling Platform.
The Peacock Ming King Statue was definitely one of the first Holy Statues to become famous in the Star Alliance, yet no one knew its true power.
However, even at Ling Fei’s level, she could only apply some of its theories; she couldn’t, like Yang Ying, unearth its Origin Power.
Amateurs watch for the spectacle, but experts see the technique. Yang Ying’s performance was what truly moved the many Sect Leaders present.
BOOM!
The Flying Phoenix Sword unleashed its might. Streams of Sword Qi, not particularly fast, surged toward Ling Fei like waves, one after another.
The crowd suddenly noticed something terrifying: the streams of Sword Qi were all interconnected. They didn’t just dissipate after being launched; they truly were like ocean waves, one pushing the next one higher.
By the time the Sword Qi reached Ling Fei, it had become a veritable tidal wave, crashing down upon her.
Ling Fei stood as unshakable as a mountain. At this moment, she was like a goddess. She formed a hand seal and blasted out a spell, and the Mountain-Overturning Sea-Sweeping Sword Qi instantly dissipated.
This was the Peacock Ming King’s Spell Technique!
Ling Fei smiled faintly. "You won’t be able to defeat me with just this. I never imagined we shared the same origin. Why not go all out and fight me with your full strength?"
Yang Ying descended from the air, smiling as well with an enchanting charm. "You flatter me, sister."
With a flap of her wings, a phoenix emerged from the sea amidst thundering waves.
Ling Fei looked at the Thundering Phoenix Holy Statue, completely unsurprised. "The Divine Phoenix mated with Heaven and Earth and bore the Nine Phoenixes: Golden Phoenix, Rainbow Phoenix, Fire Phoenix, Snow Phoenix, Blue Phoenix, Peacock, Great Roc, Thunderbird, and Great Windbird. It seems you are of the Snow Phoenix lineage, though you haven’t fully completed it."
Once the Origin Power is complete, Yang Ying’s power will not just be water, but Ice Power.
Yang Ying gave a noncommittal response. "The Peacock is a ferocious creature of heaven and earth. It presides over slaughter, the ultimate expression of the demonic."
Ling Fei didn’t refute it. "I am a Demon Cultivator to begin with."
But Yang Ying smiled beautifully. "Not so. Its appearance is one of slaughter, but its heart is one of compassion. It merely uses slaughter to end slaughter."
Ling Fei laughed. "No wonder Wang Meng chose you. You truly are extraordinary. Let’s see whether your Snow Phoenix lineage is stronger, or if my Peacock lineage is superior."
BOOM!
Holy Statues of the same type, a clash of top-tier bloodlines. Their auras surged to the heavens.
The cultivators were once again flabbergasted. What was going on? Wasn’t this supposed to be an easy fight?
The Holy Hall again, and with it, another shock!
Yang Ying’s power was a full level or more below Ling Fei’s, but her Phoenix Wings compensated for it, effectively putting them back on the same starting line.
This was the final battle between two goddesses. The Snow Phoenix, its brilliance restrained; the Peacock, its splendor dazzling.
The Flying Phoenix Sword rose...
The Bright King Spell was cast...
Phoenix Wings to the Nine Heavens, down to the Yellow Springs!
Heaven and Earth Bright King Compassion Great Spell!
In that instant, heaven and earth seemed to lose their color. The radiant Snow Phoenix let out a long cry, and the glorious Peacock bloomed with proud splendor.
The very sight of it made the cultivators tremble.
VMM... FWOOSH...
An aurora of light exploded on the Dueling Platform, and in an instant, the cultivators’ eyes and ears ceased to function.
An unknown amount of time passed before the cultivators recovered their senses. The battle was already over.
Yang Ying and Ling Fei were still as radiant as ever, but the entire Magic Arena was silent, awaiting the result.
Within the light, the Snow Phoenix gradually dissipated, while the Peacock Ming King Statue slowly expanded, undergoing a transformation...
A halo had appeared above the Peacock’s head. This was the completed Peacock Great Ming King Holy Statue.
There was a full level of difference. Yang Ying had not yet reached the true Snow Phoenix realm.
At last, the undefeated Golden Body of the Holy Hall Disciples, who had swept through all their opponents, was finally broken.
Ling Fei and her Peacock Great Ming King Holy Statue illuminated the entire Magic Arena. This was the glory of the Flower Fairy Sect. She had defended the dignity of the traditional, powerful sects.
The seated Sect Leaders all seemed to relax. If the Holy Hall had been allowed to continue its rampage, they all would have lost face.
Their lucky streak had ended.
It wasn’t that Yang Ying wasn’t strong—she truly was powerful enough. It was just the wrong time.
Yang Ying walked off the Dueling Platform, and Wang Meng went to meet her. She smiled a little apologetically. "I did my best."
With that, she collapsed limply. Wang Meng caught her and gently stroked her beautiful hair. "Leave the rest to me."
She had overexerted herself too much. Yang Ying had only formed her Holy Statue a few years ago; she couldn’t defy the heavens. Ling Fei was a genius to begin with, and her Peacock Holy Statue was top-tier among the Nine Phoenixes. Moreover, she had already reached the completed state of the Peacock Great Ming King.
This battle had let the usually unrefined Wang Meng see the pride and self-respect within Yang Ying’s heart. She had always been trying her hardest.
Ma Tian’Er took Yang Ying from him, and the power of the Tree of Life slowly flowed into her, once again drawing sideways glances from a group of cultivators.
’A healing-type Holy Statue... That’s too damn overpowered! How is anyone else supposed to compete? After getting injured in a fight, others have to take who knows how many Pills just to recover, and they might even be left with lasting side effects. But them? They actually have a healing-type Holy Statue...’
Beneath her calm exterior, Yang Ying was completely drained. The Life Tree Holy Statue was only replenishing her power and calming her spirit to prevent any hidden injuries from forming.
Zhang Xiaopang was about to say something but saw the corner of Wang Meng’s mouth twitch. Master Zhang knew Wang Meng’s little habits better than anyone. He swallowed the words that were about to leave his lips.
He knew Wang Meng was heartbroken. At times like this, the boss’s temper was never good. It was best, absolutely best, not to provoke him.
...Someone was in for a world of hurt.
(I’ve caught a cold. I feel weak all over and can’t stop sneezing. I’m afraid I’ll be fighting this for another two or three days. I really can’t compare to how I used to be. Please send some monthly tickets my way to cheer me on. They work better than Contac!) (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)