One person: Starting with the Snow Drinking Blade

"That's right, let's have a fight." The old master put down his teacup, his gaze falling on Nie Lingfeng, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes. "It's been a long time since I've stretched my muscles. Since becoming famous, there are very few opponents in this world who can arouse my interest and make me fight them wholeheartedly. When it comes to sparring, either it's a junior asking for advice, and I'll give them some pointers, holding back so as not to hurt them. Or it's some ignorant fool who doesn't even have the interest to make me raise my hand."

He paused, looked at Nie Lingfeng, and smiled, "You're different. You have the 'Qilin' bloodline, super S-class combat power, top-tier combat awareness and experience, and astonishing recovery and resilience. Last time here, because of the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony, we only had a brief exchange and weren't quite satisfied. This time, your injuries are almost healed, and you're still seething with anger. Perfect. Come find me at the back mountain every three days, and we'll spar. Don't worry, I'll hold back; I won't kill you. It'll help you vent your anger and loosen your muscles, and it'll also give me some exercise to prevent this old body from rusting. How about it?"

Nie Lingfeng was stunned, but a fire instantly ignited in his heart! Regular sparring with a top-tier master like the Old Celestial Master? This was an incredible opportunity! Not only could he test his newfound strength and hone his combat skills, but he could also personally experience the sublime power of a master! As for "relieving his pent-up desire" and "stretching his muscles"... he automatically ignored them. This was absolutely something he couldn't have asked for!

"This junior would be more than happy to oblige!" Nie Lingfeng didn't hesitate, immediately clasping his hands in a fist salute, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement and fighting spirit. "But... wouldn't that be too much of a disturbance to the Elder Celestial Master's cultivation?"

"Seclusion?" The old celestial master laughed heartily. "When stillness reaches its extreme, movement arises; when movement reaches its extreme, stillness returns. This is the way of nature. It's settled then. Today is perfect. After breakfast, we'll go to the cliffside behind the mountain. Lingyu, you'll come along too. Observe a bit; it will benefit your cultivation."

"Yes, Master," Zhang Lingyu replied respectfully, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes. Being able to watch his master spar with top masters of his generation up close was also a rare opportunity for him.

"By the way," the old master added, smiling at Nie Lingfeng, "fighting is fighting, but you still have to take care of the child. Little friend Chen Duo needs to rest and recuperate; we can't keep her worrying all the time. These three-day sparring sessions are just a way for you to relax and unwind. Once you're refreshed, you can come back and continue taking care of the child. I think it's a good idea."

Nie Lingfeng: "..." You've found me a punching bag and a scapegoat, and even arranged the follow-up parenting schedule? (；￣д￣) But...it seems like that's actually true? A fight to vent my pent-up frustration and energy might make me more patient in dealing with Xiaoyun's "sweet troubles" when I get back? Thinking about it this way, Nie Lingfeng actually felt that the old master's suggestion was absolutely brilliant! (≧▽≦)ﾉｼ))

"Yes! This junior understands!" Nie Lingfeng bowed sincerely this time, feeling that his gloomy life as a new father had finally been illuminated by a ray of light called "sparring to vent anger"!

……

Behind the mountain, there is a secluded cliffside area.

The cliffside is located halfway up the mountain. It's not large, but it's quite flat, with a surface made of solid, dark blue rock, smoothed by years of wind and rain. It's surrounded by ancient, verdant pines, their strong branches forming a natural screen that isolates the area from the outside world. Beyond the cliff lies a bottomless valley, shrouded in mist, occasionally punctuated by the cries of eagles, adding to its rugged and otherworldly atmosphere.

At this moment, on the cliff, the two stood facing each other.

On one side stood the old Celestial Master Zhang Zhiwei, dressed in a gray Taoist robe, with white hair and beard, a ruddy complexion, and a peaceful aura. He stood with his hands behind his back, seemingly blending into the surrounding mountains, ancient pines, and clouds.

On the other side was Nie Lingfeng, dressed in a black outfit (he had changed out of his tattered combat uniform), with a tall and straight posture, his black hair fluttering slightly in the mountain wind, his eyes sharp as knives, and a faint, fiery aura flowing around him, like an ancient ferocious beast poised to pounce.

Zhang Lingyu stood quietly at the edge of the cliff, about ten feet away from the two, her expression focused and her aura restrained, ready to observe this rare contest closely.

"Young friend Lingfeng, there's no need to hold back. Just go for it." The old celestial master spoke with a smile, his voice calm yet clearly reaching Nie Lingfeng's ears. "Let this old Daoist see just how far you've come after this 'Nirvana'."

"Excuse me, Celestial Master!" A glint flashed in Nie Lingfeng's eyes. Without further hesitation, the Qilin bloodline within him, along with the newborn power that had merged with the residual power of the Nirvana Feather, began to circulate rapidly!

"roar--!"

A deep, ancient roar resounded within Nie Lingfeng's body! The air around him suddenly became scorching and distorted! A faint, crimson-gold shimmering phantom of scales appeared on his skin, and a domineering, intense, and ferocious aura, seemingly capable of incinerating everything, surged into the sky! The hard, dark blue-green rock beneath his feet was even slightly compressed by this aura, cracking with fine lines!

He unleashed his S-rank aura without reservation! This time, he didn't test the waters; he went all out from the start! Because he was facing the Old Celestial Master, the undisputed pinnacle of the supernatural world. Any reservation or testing would be disrespectful and foolish!

"Well done." Faced with Nie Lingfeng's terrifying pressure, enough to terrify ordinary superhumans, the old Celestial Master merely smiled slightly, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. He remained as calm and collected as ever, not even changing his posture, simply raising one hand and making a light, almost imperceptible, press down on Nie Lingfeng.

There was no earth-shattering display, no dazzling light. Yet, Nie Lingfeng felt as if the intense heat and pressure he released, like a volcanic eruption, had crashed into an invisible, boundless, and incredibly thick wall of energy! Not only could it not budge it in the slightest, but it was also silently dissolved and vanished into nothingness by a gentle yet overwhelming force!

On the cliff, even the wind seemed to stand still for a moment.

"What a magnificent 'Qilin'! Its power is even more refined and concentrated than last time, and it faintly carries the connotation of 'rebirth and endless life'." The old celestial master's eyes showed even more admiration, and he uttered a soft praise. His palm, which had been pressing down, slowly pushed forward.

It was just another ordinary push. But in Nie Lingfeng's eyes, that old, wrinkled hand seemed to transform into an endless sky, carrying an indescribable weight and pressure, slowly but firmly covering him! The surrounding air instantly became incredibly thick, as if it had turned into an impenetrable wall, trapping him firmly in place! Even lifting a single finger became extremely difficult!

Is this... the true power of the ultimate?! Nie Lingfeng was horrified, but the fighting spirit in his eyes burned even brighter! He roared, and the crimson-gold energy within him erupted like a volcano! With a crack, he forcefully stomped a shallow pit into the rock beneath his feet! He broke free from that invisible restraint!

"Qilin Treading on Fire!"

Nie Lingfeng leaned forward, his right leg like a streak of crimson-gold lightning, accompanied by a piercing sonic boom and terrifying heat, fiercely kicking towards the old master's slowly pushing palm! Where the leg passed, the air was scorched and distorted, emitting a hissing sound!

"Not bad speed, not bad strength." The old master smiled slightly, and his slowly extended palm suddenly changed from pushing to brushing. The movement was as gentle as a spring breeze brushing willows, without a trace of fire, and gently brushed against Nie Lingfeng's fiercely kicking shin.

boom!

A dull thud resounded. Nie Lingfeng felt as if he had kicked the softest yet most resilient ball of cotton. The terrifying force and intense heat, enough to shatter stone and melt metal, vanished without a trace, like a mud ox sinking into the sea! Not only that, but a gentle yet continuous force traveled up his calf and instantly spread throughout his body, causing him to stagger backward uncontrollably. Each step left a deep footprint on the hard rock, and it took him seven steps to barely regain his balance!

"Strength is powerful, but lacks agility. Going forward without hesitation is a good thing, but one must also leave room for maneuver in order to adapt to changes at will." The old master's voice came slowly and deliberately, as if he were instructing a younger generation.

Nie Lingfeng took a deep breath, suppressing the surging blood in his chest. With just one move, he profoundly felt the insurmountable gap between himself and the Old Celestial Master! But he was not discouraged in the slightest; instead, the flames in his eyes burned even more fiercely!

"Again!" Nie Lingfeng roared, his body shooting out once again! This time, he no longer pursued simple strength and speed, but began to try to fuse the Qilin marrow, the power of the dragon essence, the fiery and violent phoenix blood with the endless and ever-changing meaning brought by the Nirvana Feather!

"Qilin Illusion!"

Swish!Swish!Swish!

Nie Lingfeng's figure suddenly blurred! Three lifelike crimson-gold afterimages remained in his place, attacking the Old Celestial Master from the left, center, and right directions with sharp whistling sounds! The aura of each afterimage was exactly the same, making it difficult to distinguish the real from the fake! This was a technique he had recently mastered, combining high-speed movement with the illusion of power!

"Oh? Interesting." A hint of surprise flashed in the old master's eyes, seemingly not expecting Nie Lingfeng to improve so quickly. But his movements were not slow at all, still with that calm and collected demeanor, only his feet slightly shifted, and his figure swayed like a ghost.

Snapped!Snapped!Snapped!

Three soft sounds rang out almost simultaneously. The old celestial master merely waved his sleeve casually, and Nie Lingfeng's three sharp afterimage attacks shattered and dissipated like bubbles! Meanwhile, the old celestial master's true form had appeared behind the afterimage on Nie Lingfeng's left at some unknown time, and one of his palms gently pressed against Nie Lingfeng's back!

A gentle yet irresistible force came, and Nie Lingfeng was once again involuntarily thrown forward. This time, he flew a full three zhang (approximately 10 meters) before landing awkwardly. He staggered a few steps before regaining his footing.