Lingyuan Immortal

Chapter 961 Both Sides Have Their Wins and Losses
Fusheng Temple's side suffered a setback as soon as they started fighting, and the arena fell silent for a moment.

Gazing in the direction Cui Dongbai had left, the Taoist surnamed Zhong's thoughts shifted slightly, and he suddenly raised his voice, saying, "This man's strength lies entirely in that precious sword; his own cultivation is nothing special. If I were to go into battle, I dare say I would surely win!"

As soon as he said this, everyone's eyes immediately turned to him.

"Fellow Daoist Zhong is a pillar of our formation; how can we act rashly?"

Tao Feng laughed heartily. Since the other party was sincerely helping, he was generous with his praise.

Yan Rongmu nodded and said, "The sharpness of the sword was expected. If we encounter this person again, we just need to be on guard beforehand and it won't be difficult to avoid his sharp edge. What I am worried about is that this person's methods may not be limited to this."

Tao Feng changed his mind and said, "Junior brother, don't worry. That person's cultivation is shallow, and he may not be able to fully control the power of that sword. Otherwise, he wouldn't be in such a hurry to return."

Upon hearing this, Fu Danian suddenly realized: "That's right! Senior brother's words are insightful. In that case, there's no need to worry too much."

Just then, a flying boat arrived from the opposite direction.

On the boat was a young Taoist boy holding a magic sword in his arms. The yin-yang symbol on the hilt of the sword flowed, which was the token of the Abbot of Liangyi Temple.

As the flying boat approached, the young Taoist raised his magic sword high above his head and said in a clear, childlike voice, "By order of Abbot Luo, we request that your temple relinquish the mountaintop below and choose another place to stay."

Upon hearing this, the faces of everyone below darkened.

Their location was high and open, the highest peak in the west, making it an excellent position. Although it was said before the battle that this mountain would be the prize, when the handover actually took place, it still made people feel extremely embarrassed and frustrated.

Tao Fengbian showed no displeasure whatsoever. Although the peak was in a good location, it was not part of his overall plan.

Since the other party intends to embarrass Fusheng, then for the time being, we shall grant their wish.

With a wave of his sleeve, a young Taoist priest immediately stepped forward from below the stage, cupped his hands, and said, "Please report to your abbot that we will act as you have promised."

Upon hearing this, the celestial child bowed and then threw the magic sword in his hand downwards.

The magic sword was firmly planted on the summit of West Peak. With a humming sound, a phantom image of a yin-yang symbol slowly unfolded from the hilt of the sword, reflecting the mountain mist. Upon seeing this, the boy turned the flying boat around and headed back.

At this moment, the defeated Umbrella-Holding True Monarch, looking embarrassed, stepped forward and bowed, saying, "My skills are inferior to yours, and I have troubled my fellow cultivators..."

Before he could finish speaking, Tao Fengbian spoke up gently: "Since it is a contest, there will be a winner and a loser. This is the way of the world. Fellow Daoist, there is no need to blame yourself. You can settle the score next time."

Seeing that Tao Feng had so easily dismissed the matter, the Umbrella-Holding True Lord felt somewhat relieved. He bowed again and silently stepped aside.

Fu Danian immediately stepped forward and said, "Senior brother, we don't have a single peak or island to occupy right now. If we are driven around like this by Liangyi Temple, it will be too embarrassing. Why don't we take shelter in the clouds for the time being?"

Tao Feng hesitated for a moment, then shook his head with a smile: "No, if Abbot Luo truly has this intention, I would be more than happy to oblige."

He glanced around and then pointed to a floating island in the northwest: "I think that place is quite suitable."

When everyone heard this, they were suddenly enlightened.

If this can be used to guide the Liangyi Guan to the location of the island peak they subsequently want to seize, it would indeed be an excellent choice for our side.

So, the group, in a grand procession, drove their palanquins to the flying island in the northwest. Then, with everyone's combined efforts, they rebuilt the altar and worked for a full half hour before finally settling in.

At this moment, everyone's eyes turned to Tao Fengbian. It was Liangyi Temple that had sent someone to challenge them earlier, and according to the rules, it was now Fusheng Temple's turn to send someone to challenge them first.

Tao Fengbian had already made up his mind about this, and his goal was very clear, but he still had some concerns.

If we were to send out our talents, such as Chen Mu and the Taoist priest surnamed Zhong, at this moment, their sharpness would be too exposed, and we might end up making things worse.

Therefore, those who go into battle this time should not be of too high status or importance, but their cultivation and strength must not be too weak...

Seeing that Tao Fengbian was still hesitant and undecided, Yan Rongmu had already made up his mind.

Since the Taoist priest surnamed Zhong was so eager to fight, let's give him a chance to show his skills.

He left the banquet a month or so ago, so he was unable to witness the secret contest between the Taoist Zhong and Chen Mu. Even though Tao and Fu later recounted the details, his appreciation for Chen Mu was far less than that for the two of them.

In his opinion, even though Chen Mu came from a prestigious family, he was not a native cultivator of Xuandu. His senior and junior brothers entrusting him with the power of command so hastily might not be as reliable as the original Zhong Zhenjun.

However, the die was cast, and he could not say more, so the matter was left unresolved.

However, he still held a certain expectation for the Taoist priest surnamed Zhong, and now was the best opportunity for the other party to prove his worth.

Thinking of this, he stepped forward and whispered, "Senior brother, perhaps we could inquire with Fellow Daoist Zhong. He is highly respected and may have a suitable candidate to recommend. Even if not, we can find someone else to go into battle; it's not too late."

Tao Feng frowned slightly, knowing that given the nature of the Taoist surnamed Zhong, once asked, he would have no reason to refuse.

However, after a moment's thought, he also felt that this method was feasible, so he nodded slightly to Yan Rongmu.

Yan Rongmu immediately turned to the Taoist priest surnamed Zhong and subtly conveyed his intentions.

Upon hearing this, the Taoist surnamed Zhong was secretly delighted. He glanced at Chen Mu discreetly and said loudly, "Elder Yan, rest assured, I will take on this challenge and will certainly live up to your expectations!"

After speaking, he turned his gaze to several colleagues with whom he had always been on good terms.

He knew that this battle was not only about saving face for Fusheng, but also the key to restoring his prestige. After the previous banquet incident, this opportunity was hard-won, and he had to seize it to reverse the decline...

After pondering for a moment, the Taoist surnamed Zhong fixed his gaze and selected one person: "Fellow Daoist Sun, are you willing to step into the fray and fight?"

The True Lord surnamed Sun, wearing a tall crown, a blue robe with wide sleeves, delicate eyebrows, and fair skin, was quite handsome. Upon hearing this, he laughed loudly: "What is there to be unwilling about?"

He strode out, bowed to the crowd, and was about to turn and leave.

This person is of noble status, being the head elder of the Tongfang Hall of the Changzhou Dao. Although he is not as powerful as a sect leader or abbot as Tao Fengbian, he is much stronger than the umbrella-wielding cultivator in the first formation. It is appropriate for him to lead the formation.

However, the Taoist priest surnamed Zhong was still worried that he might lose something, so he changed his mind, called him back, took something from his sleeve and threw it to him, saying, "Take this treasure to protect yourself."

The True Lord Sun took the treasure from his hand, and after circulating his spiritual energy slightly, he knew that this treasure was extraordinary. He was secretly delighted, bowed, and then leaped into the sky.

He was not a reckless or foolish person; the reason he readily agreed was because he saw things clearly.

At this point, both sides are still in the probing stage, and the battle has not yet become intense. The truly powerful figures have not yet appeared. If they fight now, they still have a chance of winning. If they wait any longer, they will be courting death.

He stood firmly on the cloud and said loudly, "That Cui Dongbai only injured people by relying on the sharpness of his sword, which is not true skill. I am Sun Cheng, and I have come to ask for your guidance. Which of the Two Elements Daoists will come forward to fight?"

A moment later, just as expected, a person came out from the other side. He was not an invincible person, but an old Taoist priest with a white beard and hemp robes, holding a whisk. He looked ordinary.

“Fellow Daoist Sun,” the old Daoist began, “which island peak do you intend to wager?”

Sun Cheng pretended to ponder, then pointed to the outer island that had already been decided upon, which was shaped like a reclining ox.

On the altar of the East Peak, Luo Feng and the others were slightly moved upon seeing this.

They had assumed the other party would also stake their position on the mountain below, but unexpectedly, they chose this outer island with its sparse spiritual energy...

The old Taoist priest in hemp clothing, unsuspecting, cupped his hands and prepared to attack. But Sun Cheng's mind raced, and a plan suddenly came to him.

He first displayed the treasure bestowed upon him by the Taoist Zhong in his palm, and then secretly transmitted his voice, saying, "Fellow Taoist, our cultivation levels are similar. If we were to fight to the death, the victor would inevitably be either killed or injured. How about we try a different method?"

Upon seeing the treasure, the old Taoist priest in hemp robes frowned and replied telepathically, "What do you intend to do?"

Sun Cheng then took out a large wolf-hair brush and said, "I love painting more than anything in my life. If you can withstand my attack, I will immediately admit defeat and have no regrets!"

Unless they are enemies, cultivators who do not wish to fight to the death often spar in this way.

Having received Sun Cheng's promise, and seeing that the wolf-hair brush in Sun Cheng's hand was full of spiritual energy but did not seem to be a treasure for main battle, the old Taoist in hemp robes relaxed his vigilance slightly. He flicked his whisk, and a layer of clear and misty protective energy rose around him. He said calmly, "Fellow Daoist Sun, please!"

Sun Cheng was secretly delighted, but he didn't show it on his face. He said, "Fellow Daoist, catch it."

After saying that, he waved his right hand and the wolf-hair brush made a virtual dot in the air.

The nib of the brush shows no ink, yet a rich and pure water-based spiritual energy is captured out of thin air, instantly condensing into a flowing indigo line!

"disease!"

Sun Cheng's wrist trembled rapidly, and his brush moved like dragons and snakes!
The water line wasn't a splashing attack, but rather a rapid outline in the air. In the blink of an eye, he "drawn" a lifelike water dragon with flying scales and claws out of thin air.

This water dragon was not an inanimate object. As soon as it was painted, it raised its head and sang, which caused the spiritual energy to vibrate. It shook its head and swayed its tail, carrying a strong water pressure, and rushed straight towards the old Taoist in hemp robes.

"Humph, what a small trick!"

The old Taoist priest in hemp robes swept his whisk lightly, and thousands of silver threads surged forth, like a celestial river turning upside down, instantly pulverizing the menacing water dragon and turning it into countless water droplets that fell from the sky.

Sun Cheng, however, seemed to have anticipated this and was not discouraged at all. He continued to write, and this time he was even faster. With his wolf-hair brush, he made dots, strokes, hooks, and flicks, and his spirit transformed into blazing fire lines.

In an instant, a magnificent and exceptionally beautiful fiery Vermilion Bird with clearly visible plumage flapped its wings and spewed out flames with a sharp cry.

The old Taoist priest in hemp robes waved his whisk again, and a clear light, like a curtain, blocked and extinguished all the flames, his movements still composed.

Sun Cheng seemed to have entered a state of complete absorption, ignoring the old Taoist priest's mockery.

His brushstrokes flowed continuously, sometimes outlining the heavy, illusory shadows of mountains pressing down overhead, sometimes depicting sharp golden spears shooting through the air, and sometimes adding thorns and vines to entangle and bind... All kinds of attacks were formed from spiritual energy. Although the old Taoist in hemp robes neutralized them one by one, they were endless and tricky, forcing the old Taoist to seriously dodge and block.

Seeing this, Luo Feng frowned slightly: "This boy's methods are novel, but their power is limited, and he is just wasting his magic power."

On the west peak, Fu Danian watched with growing anxiety: "What is he doing? At this rate, he'll be exhausted sooner or later!"

Only Chen Mu and a few others narrowed their eyes slightly, as if they had caught a subtle rhythm in Sun Cheng's seemingly chaotic strokes.

The old Taoist priest in hemp clothing, having held his ground for a long time without making a move, gradually grew impatient. He was especially annoyed when he saw that Sun Cheng remained calm and composed, clearly holding back his strength.

He seized the moment when Sun Cheng finished his stroke and before he could come up with a new move, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and he suddenly pulled back and released his whisk!
"Break through illusion!"

A condensed, almost tangible, silvery-white beam of light shot out from the handle of the whisk, heading straight for Sun Cheng's face.

This strike was swift and ruthless, containing the purest magical power within him, far surpassing the spiritual energy of the previous paintings.

Sun Cheng seemed startled by this sudden counterattack. His pupils contracted sharply, and he subconsciously drew a shield to block it forward.

"Om-!"

The silvery-white beam of light slammed into the shield, shattering it into countless shimmering specks of light that scattered across the sky. Behind the shield, Sun Cheng's figure also shattered.

The old Taoist priest in hemp robes was overjoyed, thinking he had succeeded. However, just as his old strength dissipated and new strength had not yet arisen, and his body was about to move but had not yet moved—

A glint of triumph flashed in Sun Cheng's eyes as he stood not far away.

"This person is so rigid; it seems Mr. Sun is quite lucky."

Ignoring the churning blood and qi within him, he used his right hand to wield the wolf-hair brush with such speed that it left afterimages as he pointed and drew a line in the air in front of him!
This time, instead of sketching complex objects, he drew a twisted rune with incredible simplicity and speed!

This rune is the core of all his previous "paintings," formed by the seemingly useless brushstrokes, turns, and residual spiritual energy nodes that were secretly connected, superimposed, and accumulated in the void.

"ban!"

With a low shout from Sun Cheng, the twisted runes suddenly lit up with a dark radiance!
The space around the Taoist priest in hemp clothing instantly became viscous and sticky!

Countless fragments of spiritual energy that he had previously scattered and that seemed to have disappeared reappeared and condensed from the void under the guidance of the runes, transforming into countless chains of spiritual patterns that shimmered with different attributes. Like living things, they instantly wrapped around the old Taoist in hemp robes' limbs, whisk, and protective aura.

These chains, though individually weak, possess diverse properties and intertwine and overlap, forming a chaotic yet resilient "web of the Way."

Especially taking advantage of the moment when the old Taoist priest in hemp clothing had just lost his old strength, his mind was relaxed, and his protective aura was slightly fluctuating, he actually broke through his defense in one fell swoop!

The old Taoist priest in hemp robes was shocked. He felt his magical power suddenly stop circulating, as if he were sinking into a quagmire, and even his whisk became extremely heavy.

Sun Cheng, seizing the opportunity, pressed his advantage relentlessly, his wolf-hair brush flashing as chains of magical power pressed down upon him.

Then, the old Taoist in hemp robes inside the "net" let out a painful howl. Suddenly, the whisk in his hand shone brightly, and he broke free from the chains. In the blink of an eye, he tore open the giant net, carrying the old Taoist and turning into a stream of light, fleeing back to the East Peak in a sorry state.

Upon seeing this, Sun Cheng was taken aback, and a sense of lingering fear quietly rose in his heart.

Judging from the force with which he escaped, if he hadn't chosen to flee but instead had swept his whisk back, I probably wouldn't have been able to withstand it.

He raised his hand to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead, and following Cui Dongbai's example, he gave a hasty bow to the audience of Liangyi Guan, not daring to linger. He immediately set up his escape light and hurriedly returned to the altar.

After landing, he finally let out a long sigh of relief, bowed to Tao Fengbian and the Taoist priest surnamed Zhong, and forced a smile, saying, "Master Tao, True Lord Zhong, I have not failed you."

Although the Taoist priest surnamed Zhong felt slightly displeased seeing that he had retreated somewhat hastily at the end, he had won a round after all, so he did not want to be too harsh on him and remained silent.

Tao Feng, on the other hand, smiled warmly, offered a few words of encouragement, and then waved his hand to bestow several spiritual items as a reward for his merit before gesturing for him to step aside.

Fu Sheng Guan's victory in this battle has finally salvaged some of his reputation, and Fu Danian even personally flew to the Sleeping Ox Island to place the temple's tokens.

On the return journey, he deliberately used his escape light to fly over the East Peak, displaying a spirited demeanor that allowed him to vent his pent-up frustration.

Before long, each side sent another person forward to challenge them.

As expected, none of the people who came were disciples of the two temples, so the fight was quite measured and no one was injured. They tested each other for a while, with each side winning and losing, and each took an island and returned.

The Taoist nun surnamed Song saw this and a hint of displeasure appeared between her brows.

She observed that her side was in the upper hand, and even though Qi Yunsu had not yet entered the battle, she still felt that this situation was not right. She thought to herself that these outside aids were not her own people and could not exert their full strength.

She then volunteered, saying, "Senior brother, how about I go into battle next time?"

……

(End of this chapter)