Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 120 Warming Wine to Slay the Wandering Immortal!
Grand Commander of Jianghuai?
Old Master Zuo remained silent with a sullen face, the inscription on the stone gate surfacing in his mind.

The eight characters are irritating, but their shapes are strong and sharp, with the ends like swords, indicating they must be the work of a master swordsman.

The other party's origins are unknown, but I have already exposed my own background.

Zuo Youxian made a hand seal with his left hand, pacing back and forth, unsure of what to do.

Seven or eight men in gray martial arts uniforms from the Fan family stood by, motionless, none of them wanting to bear the wrath of their patriarch.

"Is there any other news?"

"When the Ancestor was not here, two other people came looking for us, but they had nothing to do with Senior Brother Zhang's matter."

"Who is it?"

"One is Zhou Laofang, the younger brother of the Zhou Sect Master of Champion City, and the other is Elder Wen of the Yin Gui Sect. Zhou Laofang invited the Ancestor to Champion City to discuss the Dao, while Elder Wen invited the Ancestor to Xiangyang for a banquet."

"Oh?"

Zuo Youxian was not young, but his skin was as white and tender as a baby's, and he had a pair of eyes like a goat's. When he fixed his eyes on something, his sinister appearance made the disciples dare not look at him.

I never expected so many things to happen during my trip to Sichuan.

"Where are they?"

The disciple respectfully replied, "Elder Wen left after saying his words, and Elder Zhou said he would come back here again in a while."

He relayed every word Elder Wen had left behind without missing a single one.

Zuo Youxian shrugged and laughed after hearing this, and the hilt of the sword on his left shoulder trembled as well.

"They're fighting to the death and they still want to drag me down with them? That's utterly ridiculous."

The gray-robed disciple added, "Old Zhou said that Champion City holds the ultimate secret of the Heavenly Demon Strategy."

Zuo Youxian's eyes flashed with greed as he stroked his goatee:

"My great law is almost complete, why should I covet the methods of the evil sect? What good intentions could they possibly have?"

"Go get paper and pen, and send me a secret letter."

"Yes."

After the disciple who had spoken withdrew, Zuo Youxian summoned three more people to inquire about the matter, all of which concerned the Grand Commander of Jianghuai.

Ask about his appearance, swordsmanship, martial arts techniques, and background.
He then sought out military advisors who were familiar with the situation in the Lujiang-Qingliu area and explained the location of the Jianghuai army's forces.

After Zuo Youxian had a full understanding of the situation, his three disciples disguised themselves and rode eastward on horseback.

After passing Qingliu Liuhe, we headed straight for Yongfu.

The disciples of the Daoist Ancestor knew in their hearts that with the Ancestor remaining in Luzhou, this matter would be difficult to resolve peacefully.

Zhang Shan'an was not only a true disciple but also controlled a prefecture, giving him a unique position within the sect. He was not a pawn to be discarded at will.

If the patriarch pretends to be deaf and dumb, then in the future, when the true disciples of the Dao Ancestor encounter that Grand Commander in the martial arts world, they will have no choice but to give way.

With Zhang Shan'an's death, Lujiang County immediately split into multiple factions.

Only by issuing a strong statement can one command the powerful and regain control of the government.

In the days following the winter solstice, the disciples of the true lineage of the Dao Ancestor were restless and eager to make their move.

But Zuo Youxian seemed indifferent to everything, staying quietly in the Fan residence, meditating and practicing his inner energy.

He stayed at home and isolated himself from outsiders.

Aside from the person who delivers the meals daily, it's rare to see anyone else.

Outsiders have no idea that his Renbing Sword Technique is based on the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian, with the spirit residing in the heart and kidneys, while the Ziwu Gang's circulation around the Ren and Du meridians is a wonderful method for separating spirit and energy.

Only by extinguishing the fire in one's heart can one attain peace of mind.

When both qi and spirit are calm, one is at the peak of one's skill.

Since returning from Sichuan, Zuo Youxian's aura has been changing every day.

He shook off all the fatigue from his journey and the dust he had accumulated.

His eerie appearance remained unchanged, yet it revealed the profound secrets of the Daoist Ancestor's true teachings. His meditation was calm and composed, and every gesture he made was simple and genuine. Only a martial arts master could possess such subtle and refined demeanor.

The 25th day of the Anchao calendar.

After the Lesser Cold, during the second and third nine-day periods of winter, the weather outside is freezing cold, and even martial artists with weak internal strength need to wear an extra layer of clothing.

When Ma returned to Lujiang, a true disciple of Taoism brought back a letter.

Zuo Youxian read the letter carefully and couldn't help but sneer. It turned out that he was really just a junior.

With a sinister expression, he burned the letter.

The Fan family mansion.

Old Ancestor Zuo took out the Sword Qi True Manual, and with each page he turned, his confidence grew.
Inside Qingliu City.

As Zhou Tianshi held the sword-wielding copybook, his expression of understanding deepened with each page he turned.

"I see."

After much study, I finally understood the true teachings passed down by the Taoist patriarch.

Looking at the acupoints marked with cinnabar on the manual, Zhou Yi saw in his mind the image of Qi circulating through the Ren and Du meridians.

The term "Zi-Wu Gang" refers to the hours of the day.

The methods derived from Gangfa are not limited to just two hours, but encompass all times. At different times, Gangqi circulates around different acupoints.

It is very different from the Gang of Kan Water.

Zhou Yi's internal energy can flow on the sword, which is an external transformation.

Zuo Youxian traveled around the Ren and Du meridians, seeking change within himself. He then combined this with the Ren and Bing sword techniques, separating his spirit and energy, and deeply grasped the essence of rising and falling, using the false to obtain the true.

The Divine Sword Technique directs Qi along the Ren and Du meridians.

This method of multitasking allows the opponent to miss any flaws in the swordplay.

At that time, the only option will be to clash head-on with his sword aura.

This makes up for the lack of flexibility and change in the Qi, making it a truly flawless sword.

Unfortunately
To break through the eighteenth level of Sword Qi, one must reunite the separated divine energy.

Furthermore, it is based on the principle of multitasking, where the primordial spirit merges with the primordial energy, and the Ren and Du meridians merge with the orthodox meridians. It circulates and moves freely, with sword energy flowing in unison.

The true teachings of the Taoist patriarch are truly wondrous.

Zhou Yi, holding the secret manual, paced back and forth in the room.

He thought of his Kanli Sword Qi, which was like two flowers blooming from the Ziwu Sword Qi.

The Kanli Sword Qi doesn't have many variations; it's extremely balanced. It's cultivated from within and flows outwards, requiring daily accumulation and continuous refinement of the Qi. Therefore, its sharpness is fully revealed, and it can control the fire sword Qi.

The upper limits may be similar, but the threshold for Kanli is higher.

No wonder Fellow Daoist Songyinzi only has one disciple.

The Meridian Sword Qi has a clever trick: it can be practiced at different times of the day to reduce the initial difficulty. However, when it comes to multitasking and separating one's mind and spirit, it suddenly becomes very difficult for many people.

Therefore, this old monster only had Zhang Shan'an as a decent disciple.

Others cannot receive the true teachings.

He only practices the ordinary Gang techniques below Zi-Wu. The Ren-Bing sword technique requires the separation of Qi and spirit, so he cannot even touch it.

Therefore, each of these people wielded a single-edged sword, seeking simplicity within simplicity, and their protective aura was sparse.

The Meridian Qi Method provided Zhou Yi with much inspiration.

Then he looked through the two ancient books, "Xuan Yi" and "Fa Xian".

They were compiled by Feng Heng, a man from Longxi, during the Eastern Han Dynasty, and are said to have been made before the establishment of the Louguan Dao.

Just like when Cang Qu compiled the Heavenly Demon Strategy, he searched through all kinds of strange books and ancient texts, tracing back to the time when Guang Chengzi taught the Yellow Emperor the Longevity Formula.

This man, known as the Green Ox Taoist, practiced the art of fasting and consumed Coptis chinensis and Atractylodes macrocephala to prolong his life and avoid hunger.

Later, he entered Bird and Beast Mountain and met an immortal who gave him the "True Form Map of the Five Sacred Mountains".

He studied Laozi and Zhuangzi extensively, and also researched the Louguan classics.

The two ancient books record the origin of the separation of Qi and Shen in the true transmission of the Daoist patriarch.

Zhou Yi flipped through the two books more than once.

Zhang the Great Philanthropist, he's no joke.

As my mind grew calmer, the urge to retreat into seclusion became stronger.

However, a sudden declaration of war shattered this tranquility.
"War letter?"

Zhou Yi took the note with small writing on it from Xu Xingzhi's hand.

"This master of the demonic sect is quite cautious, wary of the army of Qingliu City, so he challenged him to a duel in the wilderness. When he wanted to escape, he simply fled into the mountains and forests, and no matter how many people there were, they could not stop him."

Xu Xingzhi snorted, not wanting Zhou Yi to take any risks.

The names of the eight great masters of the Demonic Sect are well-known to anyone in the martial arts world.

He glanced at his lord and saw him smiling.
“I killed many of his disciples and mocked him. If he doesn’t come, he will lose all face. If I don’t accept this challenge, I will be showing weakness. He will regain his reputation and then try to put me in his place. If I’m not mistaken, this news has probably already spread.”

Xu Xingzhi nodded in response, then suddenly realized:

"Did you deliberately lure him here?"

"good."

Zhou Yi folded the challenge letter and stuffed it back into the envelope.

“Didn’t you meet Fan Wenzhu? I’ve cured Zuo Youxian so he can take over Lujiang.”

Xu Xing's eyes shone brightly:
"Although Fan Wenzhu has a stronghold in Lujiang County, his prestige has been destroyed by Zhang Shan'an. Now that he has fled to our place, his authority has been completely wiped out. It is almost impossible for him to rebuild Lujiang County on his own. But if the Celestial Master wins the battle, Zuo Youxian will be the best stepping stone."

"By borrowing the power of the Celestial Master, Fan Wenchu ​​was able to regain control of the government!"

“Luzhou is the throat of Huaiyou and the lips and teeth of Jiangnan. Once it is captured, the strategic points of Wu and Chu will be in our hands.”

"With several counties connected, hundreds of thousands of troops at their disposal, and control of granaries, the foundation of the Jiangbei and Huaihe River regions is currently unshakeable!"

Xu Xingzhi clenched his left fist and spoke excitedly.

Suddenly he asked again:
"But... this Zuo Youxian is, after all, a senior and renowned figure. Is the Celestial Master confident in his abilities?"

"Hahaha!"

Zhou Yi laughed loudly and strode out the door.

Xu Xingzhi was startled by his imposing aura, and then he heard voices coming from outside:
"I was worried that he was too late."

……

As the Great Cold approaches, clear streams flow between the Yangtze and Huai Rivers, and a damp wind should chill one to the bone.

But recently, the atmosphere in the city has changed drastically, especially among martial arts practitioners who are familiar with the affairs of the martial world, who are all extremely excited.

Under a thatched shed with the word "tea" on a sign in the west of the city, it was already full of wandering travelers.

Several burly men from Jiangdu who had just sat down opened their single-layered jackets, revealing their bronze muscles, showing no fear of the cold.

He drank the hot tea in one gulp, seemingly unfazed by the heat.

He is clearly a tough and domineering man who can endure anything, from rolling in water to going through fire.

"I was fighting some Hu people at Yangzi Ferry when I suddenly heard from a friend on the road that Grand Commander Zhou was going to fight the eight masters of the Demonic Sect. This news is astonishing. Could it be true?"

The group from Jiangdu each glanced at the group.

Without waiting for a local's reply, a long-haired man carrying a silver spear spoke with a Shandong accent:
“It couldn’t be more true. I’ve seen the notice issued by the Jianghuai camp, telling the residents of the city to rest assured that the battle will take place in the suburbs and will not affect the city.”

Many martial arts practitioners from other places were excited upon hearing this.

The waiter responsible for pouring tea pointed towards the western city wall.

He proudly declared:
"Three days later, right outside this city wall."

"What's there to fear about the eight great masters of the Demonic Sect? My Grand Commander can defeat them as easily as taking something out of a bag."

He introduced the following to people from out of town:
"That notorious bandit from Langya has been a menace for years, amassing tens of thousands of followers and wreaking havoc in the region. But with the arrival of the Grand Commander, the heads of the seven bandits were displayed on the city wall for over ten days. Now, who would dare to cause trouble here?"

The local people of Qingliu cheered him on from the bottom of their hearts after hearing his words.

Such a scene stirred the hearts of many江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry) men.

Some of them heard that the Jianghuai Army was recruiting skilled fighters at its main camp, so they drank their tea and hurried toward the camp.

This time, it wasn't just the locals from Jianghuai.

Because it is close to Jiangdu, which is the most prosperous place in Jiangnan, attracting guests from all over the country.

Upon hearing news of the great battle, they naturally flocked to the scene.

Even Yuchi Sheng, the chief administrator of Jiangdu, couldn't stop them. He controlled the troops in Jiangdu, but he didn't dare to offend so many people from the martial arts world.

The day before the Great Cold, dark clouds piled up in the sky, as if it were going to snow.

It was the day before the great battle.

After receiving accurate information from the Giant Kun Gang, Xu Xingzhi discussed the matter with Li Jing, and the two hurriedly headed to the naval camp.

Zhou Yi received this intelligence but did not take any action.

Moreover, he sent someone to relay the message to Liuhe and deliver it to Du Fuwei.

All aspects of Qingliu City have stabilized, and many spies have been stationed within the city to control all channels.

By engaging in virtual activities, one will naturally come into contact with all sorts of information.

Around 3 PM, Xu Xingzhi, who was handling various miscellaneous affairs in the government office, heard someone announce his arrival and immediately showed a happy expression.

Someone actually came to deliver a horse.

Which caravan is it?

"They are the Hejiang caravan from Liyang."

Upon hearing this, Xu Xingzhi secretly praised him repeatedly.

He knew all too well the origins of the Jiangma Gang.

Immediately, he led someone to invite the leader of the horse caravan, surnamed Liu, over for a talk. Leader Liu did not linger and brought over thirty strong horses. He then took out a letter and a small package, asking him to deliver them to the Grand Commander.

Xu Xingzhi readily agreed and then tried to persuade him to stay.

But Chief Liu still took his leave.

In the southern part of Qingliu, Xu Xingzhi watched as the Jiang caravan departed.

Apart from engaging in trade, Pegasus Ranch, in accordance with its ancestral teachings, never participates in worldly conflicts.

This time, under the guise of doing business, a batch of fine horses was delivered. Although the number was not large, this kind of treatment was not something that ordinary people could enjoy.

At least, Xu Xingzhi could sense the other party's goodwill.

He looked at the letter in his hand and weighed the package in his hand.

My lord, you still have a long way to go.

Just as he was about to send the letter, a scout from his Giant Kun Gang ran to the south of the city to report news from the east.

The original intention of Xu Xing was to send the letter first, and then deal with the affairs in the east of the city.

Unexpectedly, after listening to what the Kun Gang members said, they had no choice but to send the items to the government office.

Weaving through the crowded flow of people.

They rushed all the way to the north of the city and waited for a while on the city wall.

Sure enough, a girl dressed in a black dress appeared.

She wore a long sword at her waist, and walked while reading a book. When she approached the city, she glanced at the city gate.

News of the great battle between the Grand Commander of Jianghuai and the masters of the Demonic Sect spread, and the number of pedestrians on the road was unusually large.

However, the girl's steps were exquisite.

No matter how many people are around, no one can touch her.

Walking on the muddy road, it was surprisingly spotless.

Furthermore, she exudes an incredibly unique aura.

With that aura, she appeared bright and profound, like the most wondrous ice crystal flower in the north wind.

Xu Xingzhi was also a martial artist, and his heart skipped a beat when he just glanced at the city wall.

The way the young girl held the book and read it was quite similar to the way that person looked when opening a classic book.

He took a deep breath and quickly went to meet them.

Although this was the first time I had met this person, I had heard of him countless times.

In fact, quite a few times, these words came out of that person's mouth unintentionally.

Xu Xingzhi dared not be negligent, but also could not cause too much of a commotion.

As he walked up, the girl looked up at him.

"Young lady, are you here looking for someone?"

"No, I just came to watch the fun, don't tell anyone."

After saying that, she disappeared into the city in a flash.

Xu Xingzhi was taken aback.

He couldn't help but look back at the spot where the figure had disappeared, and felt a strange pressure.

However, I still have to say it.

He traveled a long way to the government office and delivered the goods brought by the Jiang caravan to the Grand Commander's camp.

After receiving the letter, Zhou Yi opened it and took a look.

A blank sheet of paper, without a single word on it.

He opened the package again, and found exquisite pigments such as ochre, azurite, and gamboge, as well as two fine brushes and a roll of silk.

In an instant, he smiled slightly, already understanding the host's intention.

So we maintained a tacit understanding and continued this rare friendship through writing.

He wrote some 'wild ideas' on the blank page.

They also created simple sketches on the brocade.

It was completed in the time it takes to burn two incense sticks.

He became slightly absorbed in his painting, his whole being turning into a static state, which Xu Xingzhi could sense, so he remained silent.

Only after Zhou Yi put down his pen did he help with miscellaneous tasks.

"Does Mr. Xu have anything else to say?"

Xu Xingzhi cupped his hands in greeting and said excitedly, "I wish the Grand Commander a resounding victory."

Then, he whispered something else.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yi stood up, looked outside, and then sat down again.

Xu Xingzhi left with the silk letter, and by the time he stepped out of the Jianghuai Army's main tent, it was already dusk.

At night, light snowflakes drifted down from the sky.

Zhou Yi first had a conversation with Li Jing, and then returned to his small courtyard next to the government office.

Instead of going to sleep, he stayed in his room studying scriptures.

As the hour of Hai (9-11 PM) approached, the snowflakes grew larger, already the size of a fingernail.

All was quiet except for the sound of falling snow.

Zhou Yi, who was engrossed in reading, suddenly smiled. He felt something, put the book down, lit the lamp, and looked out the window.

A moment later, someone entered the courtyard.

The person didn't try to hide their footsteps, as if they felt they couldn't hide them anyway.

Walk in confidently and naturally.

Upon reaching the door, I knocked three times lightly.

Zhou Yi got up and opened the door. He pulled the door open too quickly, and the wind he drew in stirred up the snow outside and also lifted the skirt of the person who came in.

He saw a stunningly beautiful face, adorned with gentle eyes that could melt winter snow.

"Little Celestial Master Zhou." The girl smiled sweetly, and upon seeing him, even the strange aura emanating from her vanished completely.

"It's cold outside, come in."

Zhou Yi let her in, closed the door behind her, and lit another lamp, making two lamps so that the room wouldn't be lonely.

Dugu Feng sat down and casually put down the small basket in her hand.

Zhou Yi was curious about what was inside.

“I’ve heard that things have been going on in Jiangdu lately, and I imagine your family is having a tough time too, so I’ve only written you a few letters. Given my status, it’s not appropriate for me to go to Jiangdu to find you right now.”

Zhou Yi was about to pour tea when Dugu Feng raised her hand to stop him.

"You're right, I'm swamped with a lot of things."

"Then how did you end up here?"

"Can you guess?"

"You want to join me in dealing with Old Monster Zuo?"

The girl met his gaze, a slight blush rising on her pretty face: "I was a little worried, but I think it was unnecessary."

"However, before that, I'd like to give you some encouragement."

She opened the small basket she was carrying as she spoke.

He reached into the basket and took out a porcelain wine pot and a pair of white jade cups.

Before Zhou Yi could speak, she had already filled a glass and handed it to him with both hands.

Zhou Yi took it and poured herself another cup.

The flickering lamplight caused the wine in the glass to shimmer and sparkle. The crystal-clear white jade cup was full of wine, and it was already intoxicated.

The soft clinking of glasses.

The wine was warm when it touched my lips.

"Warm wine in the snow to boost your spirits, Little Celestial Master Zhou, tomorrow in the snow, let's see you slay the wandering immortals."

"it is good."

Hearing that gentle, soft voice, Zhou Yi looked away from his cup, gazing into the girl's captivating eyes. After responding, he downed the wine in his cup in one gulp.

Warm wine, when swallowed, warms the heart and lungs.

At that moment, he felt a surge of heroic spirit.

It seems that once the sword is drawn, even a demon or immortal in front of him can be slain.

The girl followed him and finished her drink as well.

Just as Zhou Yi was about to speak, Dugu Feng blinked, put her slender finger to her lips, and gestured for him to be quiet.

She stood up and put the wine set back into the bamboo basket.

Then he pulled open the door and walked out.

Zhou Yi ignored her attempt to silence her: "Xiao Feng, have a few more drinks."

"I only warmed two cups."

"I have one at home."

After hearing this, she turned around and smiled, "No, you should rest early."

Zhou Yi looked at her and said, "It's freezing cold outside, and the north wind is strong. Don't leave. Stay at my house."

The girl's pretty face flushed red, as if she were drunk after just one drink.

Then I heard him add, "I've specially reserved a room for you."

Dugu Feng quickened her pace, afraid of hearing him speak again, and actually stayed.

One of them took off and went up to the house.

Her presence in the mortal world far surpasses that of the past; this fleeting glimpse is breathtaking, leaving no trace on the snow.

However, no matter how skillful one's lightness skill is, if one's mind is disturbed, one will greatly lose one's level.

So sometimes there were no footprints, and sometimes the footprints were deep and shallow.

If Grandma Dugu saw this scene, I wonder how she would feel.

A short while later, a certain Taoist master stood in the courtyard, gazing up at the night sky.

He murmured:
"Old monster Zuo, I should kill him!"

……

The night sky was washed clean by the snow, and the next day the world was bathed in white light, with clear light stretching across the universe.

But the north wind grew stronger, and the heavy snow fell even more fiercely, with goose feathers fluttering down, covering the Jianghuai region!
West of the clear stream, the glacier is frozen, and snow covers the cold shore.

At such a moment.

Two people stood in the wind and snow, holding swords, on solid ice more than a foot thick.

This place is only a few hundred steps away from Qingliu City. Even standing on the city wall, one can clearly see this tributary of the Chu River. Looking further back, behind the two of them, the Langya Remnant Mountain range is hidden in the wind and snow, appearing and disappearing.

A large number of martial artists from the Jianghuai region gathered there.

Crowds gathered both inside and outside Qingliu City.

Many of them came from Jiangdu, but were actually just passing through places like Qilu, Yanzhao, and Sanqin.

Neither side broke their promise in this great battle. Although no fighting has taken place yet, the atmosphere is already incredibly tense.

Many eyes were focused on the two masters of the era.

The sound of discussion echoed all around.

The Grand Commander of Jianghuai was a genius of his time, a master at a young age.

Zuo Youxian, dressed in a brown-gray Taoist robe, is a renowned senior of the Demonic Sect, ranking among the eight great masters of the Demonic Sect, and has been famous in the martial arts world for decades.

Although Grand Commander Zhou was talented, it was almost impossible for him to surpass Zuo Youxian in terms of skill.

If we're talking about techniques...

The Meridian Sword Qi, a true inheritance from the Dao Ancestor, is extremely sharp and has no flaws.

Despite the fact that the Grand Commander had the reputation of killing the notorious bandit of Langya and was able to gain the support of Jiangbei warriors such as Qingliu and Luzhou, he still secretly wanted to align himself with Old Monster Zuo.

If they weren't confident, why would they dare issue a challenge?
As for the reasons behind the challenge, although some people have discussed them, in this context, the reasons are no longer important.

Many people glanced toward Qingliu City.

General Du of the Jianghuai Army was positioned in the center. He had come from Liuhe to personally observe the battle.

Now that the Jianghuai Army is powerful, Du Fuwei's status has also risen accordingly.

Those around him naturally paid attention to his expression.

At this moment, Old Du looked relaxed and carefree, seemingly without any concern for his Grand Commander.

Suddenly, a loud cracking sound came from the ice in the distance!
Everyone fell silent and looked over.

Without the two masters making a move, their energies clashed, and the thick ice on the tributary of the Chu River cracked!
The aura of a martial artist is usually hard to see.

The wind and snow, however, understand human nature, constantly shaping the ice on the river.

The Grand Commander's white robe fluttered in the wind and snow without ever falling. The energy generated by the robe created a vacuum in the nearby snowflakes, causing them to swirl upwards.

Zuo Laoguai was like a sword drawn from its sheath; he became a human-shaped sword aura, impervious to snow and extinguished by the wind.

The old man's head was bald, but he still had two tufts of long hair hanging down like a beard at his temples, reaching his broad shoulders. They swayed slightly, giving him a somewhat unconventional and elegant look.

But when paired with a baby's skin, it looks incredibly eerie.

The two stood facing north and south, while the wind blew from the west.

But the wind and snow sometimes pressed south, sometimes north; this was the clash of their forces, manifested in the wind and snow.

Grand Commander Zhou remained motionless, holding his sword, as did Old Monster Zuo.

Gradually.
As the two sides fought, the wind and snow began to press towards Old Monster Zuo.

The Grand Commander was unafraid of the prestige of his seniors and had no fear in his heart, which allowed him to overpower Old Monster Zuo in terms of fighting spirit and momentum!
This is going to be a fight!

The onlookers, mostly from the martial arts world, were overjoyed.

"I've seen many young talents in the martial arts world, and your talent is quite high. But you've offended me, what a pity."

Zuo Youxian's goat-like eyes shone with confidence:

"However, it is already commendable that you dared to come. I will give you a dignified death."

"Hahaha--!"

The laughter of the young people echoed through the countryside:
"Old Monster Zuo, your sword aura may not be powerful, but you're good at telling jokes. In the future, when people talk about being arrogant and ignorant, they'll bring up your name, Zuo Youxian."

"How brave!"

Zuo Youxian's expression hardened:
"Do you know that my Ziwu Gang has reached the eighteenth level, and I am suffering from having no one to challenge me?"

Since the founding of our sect by our Long-Browed Ancestor, no one has reached my level. You, a mere weaned brat, dare to speak so arrogantly before the Ancestor?

He finished speaking and gave a cold snort, his aura suddenly becoming fierce.

Many people around them shuddered and were affected.

But Zhou Yi remained unmoved:

"The Long-Browed Ancestor's sword energy flows perfectly, while yours is a poor imitation, full of flaws. What is there to be proud of?"

While Zhou Yi was speaking, Zuo Youxian was calculating the time with his fingers.

It's almost noon.

He spoke just now, firstly to distract himself, and secondly to buy time.

At noon, he was confident that he could unleash the full power of the Meridian Path.

He suddenly gave a cold laugh.

"You do know a little bit, but talking is useless. Take a look at my sword aura and see if there are any flaws you mentioned."

As Zuo Youxian drew his sword from its sheath, it instantly unleashed an invincible and chilling aura, which emanated from the blade pointing at Zhou Yi, domineering and sinister.

As he raised his sword, a crack spread across the glacier, the ice breaking wherever the sword pointed.

Such ruthless methods send chills down one's spine.

Only then did onlookers realize the true power of the eight masters of the Demonic Sect.

Where the sword's aura points, who dares to challenge it?

"Qiang~!"

The sound of a sword being drawn rang out again, followed by the cracking sound of ice splitting. Zhou Yi pointed his sword at Zuo Youxian, the blade shimmering with flowing energy, crystal clear.

Suddenly, the air around the sword distorted slightly, as if a layer of fire appeared.

"Look, it's raining! It's raining!"

Someone cried out in surprise, and saw large raindrops falling all around the Grand Commander.

The onlookers were all shocked; the snow that hadn't fallen to the ground had melted prematurely.

Its sword energy was so fierce that it was hard to imagine, even surpassing that of Old Monster Zuo.

"Left Immortal, draw your sword."

Zhou Yi gave a cold smile, as if he had seen through everything about Zuo Youxian:
"Seeing that you are old and frail, and are a senior in the martial arts world, I will give you the first strike. Otherwise, once I make my move, you won't even have a chance to attack."

His voice resonated without emotion, and anyone who identified with Cheng Zuo Laoguai would feel inexplicable pressure.

"How can your wild and unfounded words corrupt my resolve?"

Zuo Youxian timed it and felt much more at ease.

Noon has arrived!

"Boy, prepare to die—!"

He shouted, and suddenly saw Zhou Yi holding a sword in his right hand, forming a Daoist seal with his left hand, his thumb striking from the first gate of his middle finger to the second gate, his movements completely in sync with his own.

It seems they were also calculating the time.

At this moment, his vital energy circulated from the Du meridian to the Ren meridian.

When the energy is activated at noon, it aligns with the flow of Qi and blood, and can reach the ultimate level of the Shenque acupoint.

This was the peak moment of his divine power and spiritual integration.

Such secrets are unknown even to Zhang Shan'an, a direct disciple. Only those who have immersed themselves in the study of the Zi-Wu Gang (a form of internal energy cultivation) for decades can attain such a profound understanding.

A junior, humph!
The protective energy in his hand weakened by three points initially, then immediately surged by five points.

This is the ultimate confidence of a master of demonic arts!
Zuo Laomo made a completely different choice from Bian Bufu. He flicked his wrist seven times in an instant, as fast as the Big Dipper, and his fingers brushed across the sword. The movement was so fast that it was impossible to see it clearly.

The midday sun scorches through the Ren and Bing blades, drawing the secret formula to reveal the true essence of Shaoyin.

Zuo Youxian separated his immortal energy and spirit, his entire body striding across the Big Dipper, a burst of ice erupted, and a gray shadow flashed!

As the ice shattered, the instant he drew his sword, his energy also shot out in all directions as if his spirit had been divided!
The longsword was two feet away from Zhou Yi's chest in the blink of an eye, its tip pointing at twelve major acupoints, containing the mysteries of the twelve-hour cycle and countless variations.

Staring at the tip of his sword is like seeing a sundial suddenly point to noon.

The enormous sundial seemed to crash down, and apart from the solid ice Zhou Yi was standing on, the ice around him was completely cleaved apart by the qi.

The Chu River exploded, ice collapsed and wind broke, the Midnight-Noon Dipper Technique blossomed to its fullest extent, reaching the pinnacle of Zuo Youxian's power.

Zhou Yi seemed oblivious to the murderous intent. He unleashed his Kanli Sword Qi, slashing towards Zuo Youxian's Divine Palace Qi Sea.

The spirit wanders to the Shenque point, the breath sinks to the Qihai point, and separation occurs at noon.
This is Zhou Yi's reflection on his hard work over the past half month.

Zuo Laoguai's expression changed drastically. He drew his sword first, but the sword failed to strike Zhou Yi.

His vital energy was separated from his physical strength, but the opponent broke through it first!

How can this be?!
The invincible sword energy has been found to have a fatal weakness.

'He actually calculated the flow of my Qi through the Ren and Du meridians.'

Zuo Laoguai's swordsmanship was completely disrupted. He tried to block with his sword at the limit, but the energy on his sword had weakened by at least 40%. Zhou Yi then struck with all his might, severing the sword in two!

Finished!

The fiery sword energy surged forth, and Old Monster Zuo let out a miserable cry as his flowing sideburns were burned, one long and one short.

Blood spurted from his chest, and he crashed into the icy water with a thud.

All of this happened in the blink of an eye.

The Chu River surged, Zhou Yi gripped his sword in one hand, twisted his wrist and held it behind his back, the floating ice beneath his feet swaying with the force of the energy, staring at a pool of blood.

"Ancestor~~!!"

Many of the Daoist Ancestor's true disciples who were watching the battle cried out, but were too frightened to step forward.

How is that possible?
Old Master Zuo was actually defeated with a single sword strike!

They didn't even dare to glance at the white figure out of the corner of their eye.

No one knew better than them how powerful their ancestor was, yet they didn't allow him to unleash a second sword strike.

On the Qingliu City Tower, the leisurely old Du was now filled with horror, his body trembling.

The martial artists in Jiangbei were completely stunned.

Only in one corner of the city wall, the black-clad girl's face, which had been filled with worry, softened into joy. Her eyes were no longer filled with the snow and wind, but only with the white-clad figure standing with a sword in hand.

Suddenly, the figure in white turned its head slightly.

He glanced in her direction, seemingly wanting to ask her for another drink.

Xu Xingzhi leaped onto the top of the city gate and shouted, "The eight great masters of the Demonic Sect, Zuo Youxian, has been defeated in one move! The Grand Commander's divine might is unparalleled!"

Numerous soldiers from the Jianghuai region shouted encouragement, their voices echoing throughout the city and spreading a wave of vigor to the many martial artists.

Soon, Zuo Youxian floated to the surface of the icy water.

He was covered in blood, and his fate was unknown.

Just as Zhou Yi was about to order his men to carry the spoils back, he suddenly heard the sound of wind beside him.

"Fellow Daoist Zuo, are you still alive?!"

Seven people ran out from the crowd of onlookers.

They charged straight toward the glacier. The leader was a short, stout man who was extremely fast and carried a large vermilion coffin on his shoulder.

Behind them were six people dressed in black, each moving faster than the last.

Old Zhou swam across the water and pulled Zuo Youxian out of it.

He peered at Zuo Youxian and his eyes lit up.

That old monster still has a breath left.

He casually channeled a stream of true energy into Zuo Youxian.

"Fellow Daoist Zuo, hang in there. Once my brother infuses you with a profound and mysterious true energy, your life will be saved."

Turning to Zhou Yi, he said:
"Grand Commander, Fellow Daoist Zuo has lost. I'm here to collect his body."

Before Zhou Yi could even agree, he presumptuously threw Zuo Youxian into the coffin.

He took off running.

"Leave it to me."

As soon as Zhou Yi spoke, Old Fang ran even faster. He relied on this skill of lightness to run around, and even now, carrying a coffin on his back, he still moved as fast as lightning.

At the same time, four black-clad experts behind him rushed towards Zhou Yi without regard for their own safety, shouting in unison:
"Grand Commander, halt!"

The ice on the Chu River has broken open once again.

All four of them were top-notch experts.

They all struck out with their palms, stirring up the wind and snow. Zhou Yi faced off against four opponents, raising his palms in response.

Those who wanted to approach were frightened and took several steps back.

The terrifying demonic aura pressed down, as if dyeing even the snowflakes black, which undoubtedly exposed the identities of the group.

It was a master of the demonic sect from the coffin palace!

To this day, the Champion's Coffin Palace is renowned throughout the world, home to four evil masters, whose demonic power is overwhelming, and who possess the legendary Dao Heart Demon Seed.

The experts in the Coffin Palace and the demonic energy they possess are all formidable and unpredictable.

With a palm strike from four people, even a grandmaster could withstand it.

They waited for the moment to strike before scattering in all directions.

Unbeknownst to onlookers, after they clasped hands, a sudden look of horror appeared on their faces as an invisible force pulled in through their palms, forcibly extracting Zhou Laotan's profound true energy.

In an instant, the gate of life and death collapsed!

The four masters burned themselves out in an instant, unleashing their final palm strikes.

With a deafening roar, the ice shattered and water gushed out, unleashing a torrent of raging waves.

Those around them thought they were slapping each other hard, but when they looked closer...

All four masters of the Coffin Palace were dead, but Zhou Yi was unharmed.

The white robe fluttered, and not a single drop of water touched the body.

The onlookers looked at each other, then at the corpse of the master in the coffin palace, and were all speechless.

Old Zhou glanced back, his expression changed drastically, and he ran away as fast as he could.

Zhou Yi was busy guiding the evil energy into his Yang acupoint, and for the sake of the interest, he did not pursue Zhou Laofang any further.

The onlookers stared at Old Zhou and the vermilion coffin.

Suddenly, someone realized what was happening.

In the crowd, a seasoned veteran, who had traveled far and wide, said leisurely:
"I see."

"Zuo Youxian knew he was no match for the Grand Commander and that this was a suicidal challenge."

"Therefore, having a coffin prepared in advance was truly a brilliant plan."

……

(End of this chapter)