Starting as a Talisman Master

Lu Chi met Zhao Ya's slightly provocative gaze, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Since someone is eager to be the testing ground, it's a good opportunity to establish authority and save ourselves a lot of trouble later.

Thinking of this, his expression remained completely calm, and he gracefully cupped his hands, saying, "Since Senior Brother Zhao is so willing to give me guidance, this disciple will naturally accompany you."

Seeing that Lu Chi agreed without hesitation, Zhao Ya's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He immediately lightly touched the ground with his toes and flew into the center of the dojo like a big bird. With a wave of his sleeve, he set up a battle formation.

Upon seeing this, the surrounding disciples were immediately invigorated and retreated like a tide, consciously making way for a large open space.

Tao Feng retreated to the edge of the crowd, his brows furrowing as he gazed at the slender figure in the blue robe in the center of the arena.

Although he was close to Lu Chi, he had never seen his junior brother display his true abilities.

He had made several attempts to test her, whether intentional or unintentional, but she had always skillfully deflected them.

Junior Brother Lu is just a rogue cultivator; what profound Daoist techniques could he possibly have inherited? Moreover, he has only been a disciple for a short time, and he probably hasn't mastered the sect's killing techniques yet.

If they are so arrogant now, they will likely suffer a great loss when facing a seasoned Qi Refining level eight expert like Zhao Ya.

Thinking of this, Tao Feng couldn't help but grit his teeth and mutter under his breath, "Taking advantage of having more than ten years of cultivation, he comes here to pick a fight with a new junior brother. This Zhao Ya is truly shameless."

On the high platform, seeing that the two had already taken their positions, Master Yan coldly set forth the rules:

"Since this is a test of one's foundation in Daoist arts, we should follow the old rules of our sect. During the contest, talismans, elixirs, and all other external objects are forbidden. We must rely solely on our own cultivation and magical artifacts. We may move through the air, but we must not wander aimlessly and try to escape."

These were the established rules for the external examinations, and Zhao Ya had no objections.

He kept his promise and immediately formed a hand seal, actively sealing off part of his energy. Based on his previous statement, he suppressed his Qi Refining Level 8 power by 10% to show fairness.

Then, with a pat on his storage bag, a long spear, entirely emerald green and emitting the faint sounds of wind and thunder, fell into his palm.

This is a top-grade magic weapon called the "Azure Nether Spear," which perfectly suits his main wood-based cultivation method.

In the outer gate of Taiqing Palace, it's quite common for someone who has reached the late stage of Qi Refining to accumulate one or two high-grade magic artifacts by exhausting their resources.

Lu Chi, dressed in a blue robe, stood quietly in the wind and snow, his face as calm as still water.

He had a slight thought, but did not reach for his usual mid-grade magic weapon, the "Mysterious Abyss Sword".

With a slight tremor of his sleeves, a dark red stream of light quietly slipped from his storage bag into his palm, transforming into a three-foot-long, sheathed sword that exuded a blazing aura.

This sword is named "Crimson Flame," and it was a trophy obtained from killing Shen Yuanheng in the past. It is a genuine high-grade magic weapon.

Although its attributes are not very compatible with the "Taiyuan Xuanshui Scripture" which he mainly cultivates, its power is far superior to that of a mid-grade magic weapon under the absolute suppression of its grade.

"Junior Brother Lu, be careful!"

Zhao Ya shouted and took the initiative to attack.

He leaped up, his Azure Nether Spear transforming into several piercingly blue beams that swept through the swirling snow and wind, aiming straight for Lu Chi's face.

Lu Chi's expression remained unchanged, and suddenly shimmering water appeared beneath his feet.

With a soft "splash," his figure blurred like ripples on water, instantly shifting several feet to the side, narrowly avoiding the fierce attack.

"Ren Shui Xuan Shu Chao" - Bi Bo Dun.

Zhao Ya, with his seasoned combat experience, swiftly changed his attack after his first strike missed. His Azure Nether Spear swept across, the azure spiritual energy emanating from its tip instantly shattering the surrounding swirling ice and snow.

Lu Chi stopped dodging and his powerful and continuous water-elemental magic surged into the sword.

"Zheng—"

Swords clashed, metal clanged.

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The crimson sword shone brightly with a dark red light, forcefully blocking the Azure Nether Spear. Fire is the element that overcomes wood, and even though Lu Chi was using water-based magic to power it, the intense collision of spiritual energy still made Zhao Ya's hands go numb.

Zhao Ya was greatly shocked. This new junior brother's magic power was so pure and profound that it was in no way inferior to his own Qi Refining Level 8!

Seeing that he couldn't gain an advantage in the clash of magical artifacts, a ruthless glint flashed in Zhao Ya's eyes.

Using the recoil from the clash of the two weapons, he suddenly lunged forward, his left hand forming a knife-like shape with his fingers pointing out the wood elemental energy, which transformed into a sliver of blue light that aimed directly at Lu Chi's heart meridian.

This was a close-quarters combat technique he had practiced diligently for many years. He was certain that ordinary cultivators were physically weak and would be caught off guard and thrown into disarray when forced into close combat.

However, Lu Chi not only did not retreat, but instead faced the sharp blue light, turning his left hand into a palm and striking straight out.

"Bang!"

When their fingers met, they produced a dull thud, like striking finely refined steel.

Zhao Ya felt a terrifying force surge into his arm, causing him excruciating pain in his finger bones and a sudden numbness and tingling on half of his body.

"Body cultivation?"

Zhao Ya's eyes widened in shock. He never imagined that his junior brother, who had been quietly tending to the spirit field all day, had honed his physical body to such a formidable level.

Just as Zhao Ya lost his composure and his old strength had just dissipated while new strength had not yet arisen, Lu Chi's eyes narrowed slightly, and his left hand gesture suddenly changed.

Beneath the snow-covered ground, dozens of sharp "ice spikes" suddenly burst forth from the earth, sealing off all of Zhao Ya's escape routes like a chilling cage.

Immediately afterwards, the remaining snow beneath Zhao Ya's feet suddenly transformed into a stream of azure water, which coiled around his legs like a venomous snake. Within the water, tiny sparks of lightning danced wildly.

"The Secret Arts of Ren Water" - Water Binding Thunder!

As the power of thunder entered his body, Zhao Ya felt his whole body stiffen, and the flow of magical power in his meridians involuntarily stopped for a moment.

In a battle of wits and strength, life and death can be decided in an instant.

Lu Chi waved his sleeve, and a crimson light shot out like a dragon emerging from the sea, accompanied by a sharp whooshing sound.

This was a high-grade magic weapon given to him by Yun Zhi in the past. After he refined it, he named it "Crimson Dragon Rope".

The crimson light swelled in the wind, extremely agile, and took advantage of Zhao Ya's momentary stiffness to bind him and his gun tightly.

The Crimson Dragon Rope had a sealing effect. No matter how Zhao Ya tried to activate his remaining magic power, the rope not only remained unmoved, but tightened even more, completely locking his Qi Sea.

The next instant, the Crimson Flame Sword, radiating scorching heat, came to a steady stop half an inch in front of Zhao Ya's brow. The dark red sword light emanating from it stung Zhao Ya's brow painfully.

The temple was deathly silent.

From the moment the two exchanged blows and Zhao Ya attempted close combat, to Lu Chi's powerful physique and subsequent capture with a series of spells and a high-grade magic weapon, it all took only a dozen or so breaths.

In the blink of an eye, the outcome was decided.

The wind and snow continued to howl.

Lu Chi's green robe fluttered in the wind, the green wooden hairpin binding his hair swayed slightly, and a few strands of his dark hair swept past his eyebrows and eyes with the wind and snow.

"Senior Brother Zhao, you flatter me."

The entire hall was completely silent. There were no exclamations or commotions; only the atmosphere around the temple subtly changed.

Lu Chi glanced around and noticed that the several gazes that had previously been filled with hostility and inquiry in the crowd had now all subtly shifted away.

Tao Feng, standing on the periphery, had his mouth slightly open, a trace of astonishment still lingering on his face.

Zhao Ya's face was ashen. The stinging pain from the sword energy burning his brow made him acutely aware of the life-or-death situation he had just faced. His voice was hoarse as he dejectedly cupped his hands in surrender: "Junior Brother Lu is superior. I concede defeat."

Lu Chi's expression remained unchanged. With a wave of his sleeve, the Crimson Dragon Rope transformed into a red light and flew back into his sleeve. He then retreated to his original position and stopped looking at him.