Lingyuan Immortal

Chapter 911 A Thousand Layers of Peach Blossoms Reflecting Sword Light

Qiushan School, Chuntao Mountain.

In late spring, in March, when the weather is mild and the scenery is bright, the valley, which is gradually turning green, should be showing signs of scattered petals. However, nourished by the spiritual veins of the earth, the peach blossoms on the mountainside are still in full bloom, like layers of rouge clouds spread out.

Because Chen Mu and Li Dan chose this place as the venue for their duel, the valley was no longer as tranquil as it used to be. Sword cries could be heard from time to time, startling the falling petals into a flurry.

Above the sky, streaks of light intertwined, and various colored beams of light streaked across the heavens like shooting stars.

Cultivators from the powerful families of Lingzhu Mountain flocked to the area, including many whose robes fluttered in the wind—they were all True Lords of the Dao Inquiry Realm.

Even without an invitation, such a contest to seize the peak would be enough to draw them there on clouds.

The Qiushan Sect leader, Xuanji Zi, with his wide sleeves billowing in the wind, had a smile on his face that was even brighter than the peach blossoms in the mountains. He frequently instructed his disciples to build more viewing pavilions, while he himself stood under the welcoming pine tree halfway up the mountain and bowed in respect.

“Brother Xuanji, your Spring Peach Mountain is even more intoxicating than the vast expanse of blue waves in my Floating Spring Pool.”

The head of the He clan arrived gracefully, riding on a jade gourd, with a faint aroma of wine wafting from his sleeves.

"Hahaha……"

Xuanji Zi's beard trembled slightly, and his voice was like the ringing of a chime: "Brother He is joking. Your 'Floating Spring and Drunken Moon' is one of the ten immortal wines of Lingzhu Mountain. How can my wild peach branch compare?"

After speaking, he lightly waved his whisk, and a boy led the guests to the Cloud Terrace.

Yu Xin, the only son standing behind him, gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, sighed repeatedly, and finally couldn't help but whisper, "Father is also the founder of a sect, why should he fawn over these aristocratic families?"

Xuanji Zi's face suddenly darkened, and his jade-handled whisk rang out in the air: "How dare you, you brat! My Qiushan Sect has only a hundred or so disciples. Without the help of powerful families, do you intend to follow the Liang family's example and be trapped in a lonely city?"

The young cultivator suddenly looked up, his eyes reflecting the falling petals: "If currying favor could secure a foothold, why would the Liang family have been forced into this predicament?"

"It's not obvious yet, Father. Just wait and see. Once the Liang family leaves, our Qiushan Sect will become the new target of everyone's attacks!"

He raised his eyes to look at the He clan cultivator who was faintly visible in the clouds and transmitted his voice, "Putting everything else aside, just look at the way that old man He stared at Chuntao Mountain just now. How is that any different from a jackal coveting flesh and blood?"

"I'm certain that as long as someone raises their voice, they will seize the opportunity to exert pressure and snatch it from our hands..."

A sudden mountain breeze swept through, scattering unspoken words among the fluttering peach petals.

Seeing that his son spoke logically and eloquently, Xuanjizi, unusually, did not get angry.

He gazed at his son's stubborn eyes, a hint of relief appearing in his own. His tone softened as he said, "My son's ability to grasp this key point has not wasted my centuries of teaching."

"How could I not know what you're saying? That's why I've tried every means to befriend the Li family. After careful consideration, I've determined that the Li family's fortune is as bright as the rising sun. This bet is a ladder to success for them..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yu Xin suddenly sneered, his sword clanging against the jade railing: "Speaking of this duel, I get angry. Li Dan is competing with someone, yet he wants to use my Chuntao Mountain as a battlefield? What kind of logic is that?"

"If the Li family wins, that's fine, but if they lose, who knows if that foreign True Lord won't take his anger out on us?"

“He is of the same lineage as Liang Chongzhen, how could he be easily deceived? Father insists on getting involved in this matter…”

"presumptuous!"

Xuanji Zi, who had just calmed down, suddenly flew into a rage, his sleeves billowing like clouds, startling the peach blossoms in the pavilion into a flurry of petals.

"The Li family possesses many treasures, and Li Dan is even a cultivator at the mid-stage of the Dao Inquiry realm. True Monarchs beyond the borders are not easily deceived. Could the Li family be an easily bullied clan?"

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our Qiushan Sect. If you dare to speak nonsense again—"

"Yes, yes, Father and Chief Li are sworn brothers."

Yu Xin deliberately dragged out his words, flicking away the peach petals stuck to his Taoist robe with his fingertips: "I just wonder if I offend the Li family today, how much of my life can Father's old face save for me?"

Outsiders only know that Xuanji Zi and Li Dan are on good terms, but they don't know that this friendship is maintained entirely by the former's flattery and obsequiousness over the past century. In fact, he even sent his own daughter to the Li family as a concubine back then, and all he got in return was a few sporadic inquiries from the other party when he was idly playing chess.

Now that his only son had torn away this veil of pretense, the veins on his palms bulged with rage and shame. He roared, "You unfilial son! Get out of the mountain gate!"

"I can't ask for it!"

Yu Xin was not afraid of his father at all. His body was filled with mysterious light, and he transformed into a blue rainbow and flew away.

After passing through three thousand miles of sea of ​​clouds, he suddenly stopped, his eyes darting around, and he set his sights on a distant peak, then channeled his magical power to rush straight towards the Liang clan's ancestral land.

An hour later, he arrived at the gate of the Liang Clan and bowed to the clansmen guarding the gate, saying, "Please inform them that the direct disciple of the Qiushan Sect has come to visit on the orders of the sect leader."

Upon hearing this, the gatekeeper dared not delay and immediately went in to report. Before long, Liang Tianhe's father, Liang Chengye, came out to greet him.

Yu Xin laughed heartily and said loudly, "Brother Liang, it's been a long time since I last saw you. Your skills have become even more refined."

The two families lived not far apart, and being of the same generation, they were naturally familiar with each other. Moreover, Liang Chengye had a good impression of Yu Xin, feeling that they were kindred spirits. Seeing him suddenly arrive, he smiled and said:
"Brother Yu, you jest. What brings you here today?"

Brother Yu's expression turned solemn. He suddenly straightened his clothes and performed a deep Taoist kowtow towards the Liang family's mountain gate, saying:
"I have come here today to pay my respects to True Lord Chen and to make it clear to you that our Qiushan Sect is willing to make peace with the Liang family and has absolutely no intention of harming others for personal gain..."

"what?"

Liang Chengye was taken aback, his pupils contracting slightly as he realized this was not a decision he could make, so he quickly ushered Yu Xin inside...

……

The third day of the third lunar month was the day Chen Mu and Li Shi had agreed to have their magical duel.

Within a short period of just over a month, dozens of pavilions with flying eaves and brackets have sprung up in Chuntao Mountain. Waterside pavilions with vermilion railings and jade steps are connected by winding bridges, and clear springs flow under the nine-curved rainbow corridor, exuding an ethereal charm everywhere.

More than a hundred maids in colorful clothes, holding fine wine and dew, moved among the carved beams and painted rafters, their skirts exuding fragrance.

Amidst the harmonious sounds of sheng and xiao, a small pond several acres deep in the valley shimmered with light, and a green shadow suddenly appeared among the newly sprouted lotus leaves.

Upon closer inspection, one sees a fair-skinned, beautiful young woman standing on lotus leaves, her lips, painted with rouge, holding half a lotus flower in her mouth. As her jade toes twirl lightly, her jade pendants jingle, like a goddess gracefully treading on water.

However, such a beautiful and enchanting scene still failed to catch the eye of the True Lords in the building.

"What are your thoughts on the dispute between Liang and Li?"

Before the sandalwood desk, the golden lion-shaped incense burner emitted wisps of blue smoke, when suddenly someone broke the silence.

An elderly member of a prominent family stroked his beard and said, "That True Monarch Chen is ultimately an outer realm cultivator with an unclear foundation. Compared to him, I am more optimistic about Fellow Daoist Li."

Before he could finish speaking, the brocade-robed cultivator opposite him chuckled: "Master Sun, don't forget what happened to Liang Chong back then. Even cultivators from prestigious families couldn't avoid being defeated by him. As fellow cultivators from the outer realm, how do you know that this True Monarch Chen won't repeat the same mistake?"

"Times change."

The elder from the clan laughed upon hearing this: "If he were truly a man like Liang Chong, Fellow Daoist Li would have already shaken hands and made peace upon meeting him. Why would there be a need to set up this arena?"

At this moment, Xuanjizi stood up, his wide sleeves fluttering in the wind, and said in a voice like a booming bell: "Gentlemen, please hold your argument and allow me to explain a few words."

He pressed his hands down to suppress the growing commotion in the hall, his gaze sweeping across the entire room with intense intensity: "Elder Sun is astute as ever, and Clan Chief Li is always a master strategist; he has never made a pointless move. Since he dared to make this bet, he is naturally certain of victory..."

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly felt cold sweat seeping from his palms in his sleeves. He found that all the cultivators in the room were either looking down at their hearts or playing with their jade cups, and not a single one responded. Only the abbot of Qingyang Temple at the lower seat lazily raised his whisk: "Fellow Daoist Xuanji, since you have already entered the game, you must be very confident."

This light, casual remark was like a pebble thrown into a cold pond, startling the wisps of smoke rising from the golden incense burner, but no one responded...

It turns out that the Qiushan Sect was just a small sect with a hundred or so people. Xuanjizi was from the Wild Fox Zen sect and only had the True Lord realm. He was naturally very powerful in front of low-level cultivators, and no one dared to disobey him.

But here, all those present were elders or even heads of prominent families, so why would they care about him?

Moreover, this remark was smack of flattery, and to respond would be to lower one's status, so they all unanimously ignored it...

The red glow on Xuanjizi's face faded, he chuckled dryly a few times, and slumped back onto the cloud-patterned futon, inwardly seething with resentment:

"These arrogant elders of noble families have spent days flattering and currying favors, yet in the end they won't even spare a shred of face..."

As the group was engrossed in their conversation, they suddenly heard ethereal music from the heavens above. Auspicious clouds, like woven fabric, carried a colossal, dark yellow ship through the air.

Four Nascent Soul cultivators, their feet shrouded in dark, billowing clouds, led the way, their robes adorned with mysterious patterns. Behind them, thirty Golden Core cultivators stood in formation like wild geese, their robes gleaming. Following them, three hundred members of the Li clan rode on cloud cranes, their orderly ranks accompanied by the faint sound of metal striking metal.

On the jade roof of the pavilion, Li Dan, the patriarch of the Li clan, with his wide sleeves hanging like clouds, stood beside Li Hong, the newly promoted True Lord, whose black hair was not adorned with hairpins. The two held jade cups and chatted and laughed as if nothing had happened.

Twelve attendants holding utensils stood around him like stars, while maids in plain clothes held phoenix and dragon fans and nine-tone bells. Wherever they passed, auspicious clouds swirled and condensed into golden lotus phantoms in the clouds.

Such a display of power is truly eye-catching!
"With three True Lords in one family, the Li family is truly showing signs of prosperity."

Someone murmured something, and it just so happened to express what everyone was thinking...

The heads of each family stepped forward to greet Li Dan and his companion. After exchanging pleasantries, they took their seats as host and guest.

Not long after we settled down, there was another commotion on the horizon.

Everyone turned to look and saw Liang's cloud raft breaking through the fog.

Chen Musu, dressed in a snow-white robe, sat upright on the left. His robes fluttered without wind, and a faint, clear light emanated from within three inches of his body.

Liang Tian sat on the right with a smile, while Liang Chengxuan and the other two stood in the positions of Heaven, Earth, and Man, with only a dozen or so clansmen behind them.

Compared to the Li family's simple ceremonial procession, this was like the moon compared to a firefly.

However, despite not intending to seize power, everyone's gaze still fell on Chen Mu. They noticed the jade-like color between his brows and the natural Daoist charm in his every move. Although he did not reveal any pressure, all the True Monarchs present felt their Purple Mansions tremble slightly.

"Junior Brother Liang Chong, you truly live up to your reputation..."

While everyone was speechless, Xuanji Zi was trembling all over.

He noticed that his son, Yu Xin, was standing in the group of Liang Chengxuan and the other two, and when he looked at him, Yu Xin winked at him.

He was so angry that his eyes went black. If the Li family found out about this, how would the Qiushan Sect face the consequences?

As expected, Li Dan narrowed his eyes and naturally noticed the conspicuous Yu Xin. As his gaze turned cold, he suddenly turned around and glanced at Xuanji Zi.

Xuanji Zi suddenly stood up, wanting to explain, but Li Dan did not give him the chance.

At this moment, the cloud raft had already moored in front of the viewing platform. Li Dan stepped on the golden lotus and instantly covered ten feet, taking the initiative to go forward to greet it.

Chen Muyi rose into the air and floated down.

The two met in the room, exchanged greetings, chatted for a few moments, and then got down to business.

Li Dan spoke slowly: "Now that all the fellow Daoists from Lingzhu Mountain have gathered, I wonder if Fellow Daoist Chen has made adequate preparations?"

Bathed in the sunlight, Chen Mu smiled and nodded, his wide sleeves fluttering as he bowed respectfully towards the distant viewing platform.

Upon seeing this, the True Lords of the various noble families twitched their eyelids. Although their hearts were slightly moved, they still straightened their clothes and stood up to return the greeting.

A hint of gloom flashed across Li Dan's eyes, but he still smiled: "Very well, the daylight is just right now, let's each send out the first person."

After saying this, he was about to leap back when Chen Mu immediately called out, "Clan Chief Li, please wait."

Li Dan paused: "Is there anything else, fellow Daoist?"

Chen Mu glanced behind him, and Liang Tianhe immediately understood, quickly stepping forward to bow.

"Clan Chief Li, since I have not fulfilled our previous agreement, why not add a prize for opening the battle?"

Li Dan's eyes flashed, realizing that Chen Mu had put in some effort.

Previously, in order to test the bottom line of the Liang family, he had his clan members set up a scheme to fight Liang Tian. However, not long after the scheme was completed, Chen Mu appeared in Guixu and made a bet with him on three matches.

He thought to himself that since the main character had arrived, what need was there for juniors to do anything?

Unexpectedly, Chen Mu took the initiative to suggest it, anticipating that under today's circumstances, he wouldn't dare let the juniors use any inappropriate methods...

"The challenge to fight among the juniors was just a joke, but Fellow Daoist Chen remembered it so thoroughly."

A dark glint flashed in Li Dan's eyes as he glanced at the many faces in the spectator seats in the distance. Suddenly, he laughed and clapped his hands, saying, "Very well, let's take this as entertainment before the banquet begins."

Li Dan bowed and returned to the building, whereupon he immediately summoned Li Mingyun.

He had intended to give a few words of advice, but seeing the junior's face as white as a mournful white robe, and his ten fingers trembling as if falling into an abyss, he ultimately turned his thousand words into a long sigh: "Go and fight."

Li Mingyun's throat bobbed, he dared not say more, and with a light touch of his toes, he transformed into a flowing cloud and vanished.

Meanwhile, Liang Tianhe's eyes flashed with golden light, the blue bricks beneath his feet shattered, and his figure shot into the air like an arrow.

Looking into Liang Tianhe's eyes, which seemed to be about to devour someone, Li Mingyun felt increasingly uneasy.

He had been no match for Liang Tianhe since childhood, and had only challenged him to a duel at the behest of his clan elders. He had thought this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to both serve his clan and avenge his previous humiliation with the help of his elders. But now…

"excuse me!"

Li Mingyun's mind was in turmoil, but Liang Tianhe had already shouted out loud, and golden light burst forth from his dantian as his wide sleeves fluttered.

A gilded dragon-entwined sword shot out from his sleeve, its blade causing mountains and rivers to change color, and even the clouds in the sky to be shredded into jade by its sharp edge.

Li Mingyun was startled and hastily retreated three hundred feet, then summoned the Xuanhuang Hun Tian Shield.

The shield spun rapidly in the air, casting down countless rays of mysterious light to form an iron curtain, finally trapping its master within it before the sword light could strike.

The sword's edge seemed to swallow the sun and moon, while the shield's shadow held firm to its small area. This stark contrast caused the True Lords watching the battle from the pavilion to secretly shake their heads.

Li Dan's face darkened even more. If he had known this would happen, why would he have gone to all this trouble?
……

(End of this chapter)