Lingyuan Immortal

Chapter 965 Conflict over Dao Fruits
Inside Fusheng Temple, the relaxed smiles from before had vanished, the air was still, and only a sense of solemnity and horror remained.

The three Chu brothers, along with that incredibly powerful secret treasure, were reduced to ashes with a mere wave of Wei Cangdong's hand... This was no battle of magic; it was a crushing defeat!
Everyone subconsciously turned to look at the high platform, only to see that Tao Fengbian and his fellow disciples were also shocked, especially the usually composed Tao Fengbian, whose expression was now filled with indescribable complexity.

His gaze was fixed on the figure high in the sky, and he asked in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist Wei, what kind of Dao technique are you using?"

Wei Cangdong lowered his gaze, a faint smile playing on his lips: "Master Tao, as the head of the Fusheng lineage, do you not even recognize the 'Taiyi Dividing Light Slash' personally passed down by Patriarch Qizhen?"

"Taiyi Splitting Light Slash?!"

Upon hearing this, Tao Feng and the other two all changed color.

Ancestor Qizhen was a revered immortal ancestor by both families, who passed down many supreme Taoist techniques.

Among them, the most profound and mysterious is "All Laws Return to Nothingness", while the most powerful and domineering is "Taiyi Dividing Light Slash", which is almost at the level of immortal arts.

Because of the extremely high level of this technique and the great difficulty in comprehending it, Master Qizhen divided it into two parts and bestowed them upon two of his personal disciples, namely the founders of Fusheng Temple and Liangyi Temple, each inheriting one part.

Based on this, Fusheng Temple deduced the "Jinghong Slash", while Liangyi Temple created the "Taiyi Treasure Light".

Both sects know that only by uniting their respective lineages can the true form of this profound Taoist practice be restored.

Therefore, Wei Cangdong actually said that this was the method he had just used, which terrified the three of them!

However, after the initial shock subsided, Tao Feng gradually calmed down.

His thoughts raced, and he suddenly looked up, his eyes flashing like lightning: "No, it is said that when the Taiyi Dividing Light Slash is activated, it will have earth-shattering power and be accompanied by a fleeting shadow that will confuse the mind."

"Your spell just now, though similar in form to what is said, lacked any magnificent aura when executed. It was clearly derived from the 'Taiyi Precious Light' of your Yin-Yang Temple!"

Regardless of whether the "Surprising Slash" is still under the control of Fusheng Temple, its authenticity can be discerned from the sheer force and grandeur of its execution.

Wei Cangdong remained calm. He did not truly intend to deceive the other party; his words just now were genuinely heartfelt.

He raised the corners of his lips slightly and chuckled: "Master Tao is indeed insightful, but I suppose you should also see the difference between our two temples now."

"Over the past thousand years, our Liangyi Temple has developed the 'Taiyi Precious Light' to its fullest extent. Now, as long as it is integrated with your temple's 'Jinghong Slash,' the supreme Taoist technique 'Taiyi Dividing Light Slash,' personally passed down by our patriarch, will soon reappear in the world."

"In contrast, your Fusheng Temple... for thousands of years, not only have your disciples stagnated in passing down the tradition, but even this unique skill personally taught by the patriarch has been difficult to reproduce in the world."

"Let all those who share the same beliefs judge for themselves which of our two families truly deserves the title of 'legitimate'?"

His tone was calm, but every word he spoke was like a sharp blade piercing the heart, utterly devastating.

Tao Feng and the other two felt bitter. They knew that Tang Shangyuan's selfishness was partly responsible for their current predicament, but how could outsiders know the inside story?

Looking around the field, there was only deathly silence.

The thoughtful expressions on everyone's faces already indicated that Wei Cangdong's words had, to some extent, been effective.

Fu Danian's expression was complicated, as if he had only truly seen through this "close friend" today.

Tao Fengbian and the Taoist priest surnamed Yan were ashen-faced, feeling ashamed before their master and the sages of Fusheng Temple throughout the ages...

After a long silence, Tao Feng took a deep breath, closed his eyes and then opened them again, saying in a deep voice, "There's no point in saying more. Let's see the truth through the methods of Tao."

He retreated to the high platform, his gaze instinctively falling on Chen Mu. Then he pondered to himself, if he were to send Chen Mu out to fight again, who should he assign to deal with Luo Feng?
After a moment's thought, he finally turned his gaze to the Taoist priest surnamed Zhong.

"Fellow Daoist Zhong... are you confident in facing Wei Cangdong?"

The Taoist surnamed Zhong smiled smugly and stood up: "I, Zhong, am a disciple of the Great Dao of Li Huo, and I also have the manifestation of Dao fruit by my side. What is there to fear?"

In terms of realm, he is still a step above Wei Cangdong; in terms of talent, the manifestation of the Dao Fruit is clear proof; and in terms of inheritance, the foundation of the Li Huo Divine Palace is no less than that of the Liang Yi Guan. How could he not have confidence?
After all, not everyone is like the plain-robed Taoist Chen Mu, who defies common sense...

Thinking of this, his gaze unconsciously swept over where Chen Mu was.

Seeing his high morale, Tao Feng felt somewhat relieved and solemnly promised, "Fellow Daoist Zhong, please be careful. If you can win, I will immediately present you with the 'Golden Fortune Flame' that I promised earlier!"

Upon hearing this, the Taoist priest surnamed Zhong was overjoyed, his pride growing even stronger. He waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, Abbot Tao, I'm off!"

After speaking, he flicked his sleeves, and crimson flames gathered beneath his feet, instantly surging into the sky with the force to scorch the heavens and boil the seas.

Wherever it passed, the gale tore through the air, the clouds billowed, and a scorching trail lingered for a long time.

He stood proudly a hundred feet above Wei Cangdong, his crimson Taoist robe fluttering in the wind.

At the same time, an overwhelming and intense aura suddenly erupted, like the sun soaring into the sky, instantly dispelling the cold and deathly silence brought about by the fall of the Chu brothers.

"Li Huo Divine Palace, Zhong Chiyan."

His voice was like a booming bell, causing the flying island below to hum slightly. After pointing to the peak he wanted to seize, his gaze was as intense as lightning as he stared directly at Wei Cangdong.

"Fellow Daoist Wei, I've heard you're a once-in-a-millennium genius of the Liangyi Sect. Today is the perfect opportunity to learn from you and see whether your Yin-Yang Dao Fruit is more profound or my Li Huo Dao is more domineering!"

Before he finished speaking, the void behind Zhong Chiyan suddenly twisted, and a huge fireball interwoven with crimson gold and containing countless mysterious fire patterns appeared with a bang.

It was not an ordinary flame, but rather resembled a "World-Burning Flame Lotus Platform" formed by the intertwining and condensation of pure destructive and creative forces.

As the lotus petals unfurled, boundless light and heat erupted, distorting and evaporating the very space, as if he himself were the source of fire, the King of Ten Thousand Flames.

"Well done!"

Wei Cangdong remained unfazed. Facing such a direct and domineering opponent, he showed no fear whatsoever; instead, a look of utter surprise flashed in his eyes.

He remained motionless, his robes fluttering, but his aura suddenly changed, becoming as deep and all-encompassing as the sea.

Behind him, a seemingly ethereal yet real Tai Chi Yin-Yang symbol silently appeared.

This yin-yang fish is not simply black and white, but is composed of countless tiny rune points. The yang fish is as bright white as the essence of the sun, and the yin fish is as deep as the ice of the deepest abyss. They chase each other, cycle and repeat, evolving the supreme truth of birth and death, and the balance of creation.

At the same time, an indescribable, grand, and unfathomable Daoist aura spread out, steadily resisting Zhong Chiyan's domineering fiery intent that could scorch the heavens and boil the seas, and standing on equal footing.

"Be careful!"

Zhong Liyan, with a fiery temper, could not bear the confrontation and took the initiative to attack. He pointed his fingers like a knife and made a feint forward.

boom--!
An endless sea of ​​crimson-gold fire appeared out of nowhere, carrying a terrifying will to incinerate all things. Like a reversed celestial river, it roared and surged toward Wei Cangdong. Even before the sea of ​​fire arrived, the extreme heat had already made the spectators below drenched in sweat, as if they were standing on the edge of a furnace. Those with weaker cultivation even had their protective spiritual light begin to flicker violently.

Wei Cangdong remained calm as he faced the raging inferno, simply extending a finger and making a light stroke in the air in front of him.

"The cycle of Yin and Yang establishes the balance of the universe."

hum!
Then, the Yin-Yang Fish Dao Fruit behind him suddenly accelerated its rotation, and a Taiji diagram phantom that stretched across the sky instantly unfolded in front of him. The Yin-Yang fish, like living creatures, were connected head to tail and slowly rotated.

Those below watched in terror, their hearts pounding with cold sweat.

I originally thought the two of them would at least test each other a little, but who would have thought they would start by exchanging blows with their Dao Fruits? Such fierce attacks could easily lead to defeat and death if one is not careful...

When the crimson gold waves, powerful enough to burn mountains and boil seas, collided with the Tai Chi diagram, an astonishing scene unfolded.

The domineering flames seemed to crash into an invisible and intangible yet incredibly resilient giant millstone, and the blazing and violent power of the fire was instantly divided and guided by the yin-yang fish with gentle yet firm movements.

A portion of the raging fire element was forcibly cooled and stagnated by the Yin Fish's profound and icy Daoist aura, turning into sparks that vanished. Another portion of the pure fire element was drawn and transformed by the Yang Fish, and instead merged into the Taiji Diagram itself, transforming into a warm yet more refined energy flow that circulated back and forth.

The seemingly devastating sea of ​​fire was silently "digested" by the slowly rotating Tai Chi diagram. The aftershocks, which reached about ten feet in front of Wei Cangdong, vanished without a trace, like a gentle spring breeze.

Zhong Chiyan frowned, his crimson eyes gleaming even brighter. Far from being annoyed, his fighting spirit intensified. "Let's see how many you can transform! Divine Phoenix of Blazing Fire, appear!"

He formed a hand seal, and the Dao Fruit "World-Burning Flame Lotus Platform" behind him shone brightly. A clear phoenix cry, powerful enough to shake the primordial spirit, resounded throughout the heavens and earth.

Suddenly, the crimson-gold sea of ​​fire contracted and condensed, and a magnificent fire phoenix, its wingspan covering the sky and its entire body composed of pure fire essence, was born from the flames.

Every feather of this fire phoenix flowed with the high temperature of melting gold and iron. Its pupils were like two shrunken suns, carrying a terrifying will that could burn the eight wastelands and be immortal and indestructible. It carried a destructive power that was more condensed and concentrated than the previous sea of ​​fire, and transformed into a golden-red light stream that tore through the sky, rushing straight towards Wei Cangdong.

This strike contained the true essence of the Great Dao of Li Huo, locking onto Wei Cangdong's aura and leaving him with no way to avoid it!

"The inherited Taoist techniques of the Li Huo Divine Palace..."

Wei Cangdong muttered to himself, finally putting away his composed smile, his eyes becoming extremely focused and serious.

He formed an incredibly profound hand seal in front of his chest, and the Yin-Yang Fish Dao Fruit behind him suddenly split in two.

"Yin and Yang, the two polarities, separate light and shadow!"

Buzz!

Two beams of light, refined to the extreme, shot into the sky from behind him.

One beam was as bright and white as the sun in the heavens, majestic and righteous, which was the ultimate manifestation of the "Taiyi Treasure Light". The other beam was as deep and dark as the ice of the nine netherworlds, annihilating all things, which was the ultimate interpretation of the yin aspect of its yin-yang Dao fruit.

Two beams of light intertwined in the air, instantly transforming into two divine sword phantoms with distinct yet perfectly integrated auras. The Yang sword shone with boundless brilliance and exuded righteousness, while the Yin sword was chilling and silent.

Back then, the "Taiyi Dividing Light Slash" split into two. His Two Elements Ancestor valued the light, while Ancestor Fusheng preferred the word "slash".

Both are equally good and have their own strengths.

Although he lacked a portion of the inheritance, through his deductions, he combined the Taiyi Treasure Light of his own family's inheritance with the Dao Fruit, and actually managed to figure out a trace of the "severing" intent.

"Today I will show you who is the true leader of Qi..."

Wei Cangdong's eyes flashed sharply, and his words roared like thunder: "Execute!"

The two swords merged in an instant, transforming into a peerless sword rainbow that cleaved Yin and Yang and separated the clear from the turbid. Without dodging or avoiding, it went straight to meet the oncoming Divine Phoenix of Fire.

Boom-! ! ! !

An indescribable, terrifying explosion resounded high in the sky—a clash between the ultimate flames of destruction and the sword of order that divides yin and yang.

The blinding light instantly engulfed everyone's vision, and the violent energy turbulence raged like billions of dragons, completely tearing apart and evaporating the sea of ​​clouds within a radius of hundreds of miles!
Meanwhile, the altars of Fusheng Temple and Liangyi Temple below trembled violently, and the light of the restrictive array flickered erratically, groaning under the strain.

The light and turbulence lasted for more than ten breaths before slowly dissipating.

High in the sky, the enormous figure of the Fire Phoenix had vanished, transforming into countless golden and red sparks.

Zhong Chiyan's face was slightly pale, and his breathing was a little rapid. The light of the World-Burning Flame Lotus Platform behind him also dimmed a bit, and even a tiny crack could be faintly seen on the edge of the lotus petals.

The phantom of the Yin-Yang Twin Swords in front of Wei Cangdong had faded considerably, but his figure remained upright, though his face was even paler, clearly indicating that the attack had taken a huge toll.

The two faced off from a distance, neither able to gain a decisive advantage, resulting in a stalemate where both were evenly matched.

The crowd below watched with bated breath, their hearts pounding.

The full force of this collision, at the level of manifesting the Dao Fruit, far surpasses any previous one!
Not long after, Zhong Chiyan's breathing calmed down, his eyes still blazing with battle fire. Just as he was about to urge on the secret technique again, he heard Wei Cangdong suddenly speak. His voice was clear and resonant, carrying just the right amount of doubt, and it carried clearly in all directions:

"Fellow Daoist Zhong's Blazing Fire Divine Skill is indeed incredibly domineering, capable of scorching the heavens and boiling the seas, its power is unparalleled, but..."

“When I observe your World-Burning Lotus Platform, fellow Daoist, there seems to be a very subtle sense of ‘stagnation’ in its flow of energy? Could it be… that it truly confirms what Fellow Daoist Chen Mu said not long ago, that it contains the flaw of ‘extreme rigidity breeds violence’?”

These words were like boiling oil poured into cold water, and the room fell into a deathly silence.

Fu Danian's face darkened, and he blurted out, "How could he know about this?!"

Tao Fengbian, however, appeared much calmer: "When the banquet is held, there will be many people and many eyes. If the Liangyi Temple is determined to investigate, there will always be an opportunity to take advantage of the situation."

Despite his words, his gaze involuntarily swept over the crowd below, his brows furrowed, thinking to himself, "I only hope that Fellow Daoist Zhong will not be swayed by these words..."

Unfortunately, Zhong Chiyan couldn't hear his inner thoughts.

Upon hearing this, Zhong Chiyan was first taken aback, then instantly flew into a rage, his eyes turning bloodshot, his hair and beard standing on end, and the fire aura that had just subsided around him surged out of control like a volcanic eruption.

The defeat he suffered at the hands of Chen Mu that day was already a deep thorn in his heart, but now Wei Cangdong exposed it in public and even echoed the saying "extreme rigidity breeds malice," clearly intending to mock him.

Although a sliver of reason still told him that this was a trick by Wei Cangdong to disrupt his mind, his temperament, just as the saying goes, "extreme rigidity breeds rage," meant he could not tolerate even the slightest bit of it.

He roared, tilted his head back, and forced out a mouthful of pure Yang fire, which had been refined for hundreds of years, from the depths of his dantian. He gathered all his strength and spat it out of his mouth with a bang...

……

(End of this chapter)