thefictionvixens Page 196
Page 196
Only in the most intense clashes, in the exchange with opponents of equal caliber, can one truly see oneself and the road ahead.
"Tsk, trouble."
Wang Ye rubbed his nose, complaining as he did so, but his usually half-open eyes gradually brightened.
It's an appreciation of a worthy opponent, and also the excitement of a strong person eager to try their hand.
He leaped up from the grass, brushed the grass clippings off his body, and the lazy look on his face vanished, replaced by a calm and confident demeanor that seemed to be in complete control.
"Since you insist on practicing, then I will... grant your wish."
The two exchanged a smile, said nothing more, and in a flash, they appeared in an open space a hundred meters away.
No referees or spectators are needed.
This duel between the two most outstanding young warlocks of the era quietly began under the cool moonlight.
"Zhuge Qing of the Wuhou School, please enlighten me!"
Zhuge Qing bowed to Wang Ye from afar, and the next moment, his eyes flashed with a sharp light. He formed a hand seal in front of his chest and chanted incantations.
"Separation Word: Blazing Stream!"
With a flick of his finger, the Samadhi True Fire that had been gathering power in his dantian suddenly erupted!
This time, it was no longer the defensive fire shield as before, but condensed into a long, red-gold whip of fire, several feet long, which seemed capable of burning everything. With a scorching wind, it lashed down at Wang Ye's head!
The flames were so pure that they scorched and distorted the air in their wake, producing a series of crackling sounds.
Faced with a strike that would make any hero or master tremble, Wang Ye remained calm and composed.
He didn't even move an inch; he only slightly raised his eyelids just as the fiery whip was about to hit him.
"The character '巽' (Xun) and the '风后奇门' (Feng Hou Qi Men)"
An invisible and intangible, yet terrifying domain that seemed capable of altering the laws of heaven and earth, suddenly unfolded with Wang Ye at its center!
Time seemed to slow down at this moment.
The flaming whip that had been charging forward suddenly slowed down dramatically the moment it entered the area, and every tiny spark became clearly discernible.
"Luanjin Tuo!"
Wang Ye flicked his finger.
The fire whip paused strangely in mid-air, then, as if grabbed by an invisible hand, it turned around at an angle that completely defied the laws of mechanics and whipped back at Zhuge Qing himself!
"Hmph, I knew you'd pull this!"
Zhuge Qing showed no sign of panic. He snorted coldly, took a step, and instantly disappeared from his original spot, reappearing dozens of meters away.
The Qimen Dunjia divination method of Zhuge Liang, which seeks good fortune and avoids misfortune, had already foreseen this step.
He formed hand seals again, this time not just for fire-based techniques.
"Kunzi·Tuheche!"
"Xun character: Wind Blade!"
The ground shook violently, and a huge earth dragon made of soil and rock roared as it burst forth from the earth, crushing towards Wang Ye.
At the same time, hundreds of invisible and intangible sharp air blades made of wind appeared out of thin air in mid-air, like dense raindrops, blocking all of Wang Ye's escape routes.
In an instant, the three gates of fire, earth, and wind unleashed their power, transforming the entire battlefield into a deathly domain filled with destructive energy.
However, Wang simply stood quietly in the center of that area, a playful smile curving his lips.
He slowly raised his hands and drew a circle in front of his chest.
"Tai Chi - Transforming Strength".
The domain surrounding him, composed of the Feng Hou Qi Men technique, began to slowly rotate at that moment.
The feeling was like a huge, boundless tai chi symbol formed by the forces of time and space.
All attacks that rushed into this area, whether they were raging fire dragons, thick earth and rocks, or ubiquitous wind blades—
All of them were guided and neutralized in that seemingly slow rotation, which actually contained the ultimate principles of heaven and earth, and eventually disappeared into nothingness.
"Old Qing, your fire is good. But it's not 'divine' enough."
Wang Ye's voice came clearly from the chaotic energy storm.
“The true Samadhi Fire refines the spirit and the will, not just the Qi.”
"Today, I will show you what a true... 'god' is."
The moment he finished speaking, his eyes snapped open, and within them seemed to be the birth and death of stars, and the turning of the universe.
He reached out and grasped at the void.
"The character '兑' (dui) signifies utter destruction!"
In an instant, the situation changed!
The vital energy of heaven and earth throughout the entire mountain seemed to have been summoned by the emperor, and it was frantically converging on this battlefield in an extremely domineering and unreasonable manner!
They were compressed, distorted, and imbued with the purest will to destroy.
In the end, it transformed into a gigantic hand made of pure energy, blotting out the sky and the earth, carrying the majestic power to crush everything, and pressed down on Zhuge Qing!
This palm strike has transcended the realm of "technique" and is close to the realm of "Tao"!
Zhuge Qing stared at the giant hand that blotted out the entire night sky, feeling the terrifying pressure that made his soul tremble. For the first and last time, his fox-like face, which always carried a hint of calculation, revealed horror and...despair.
It was unclear how much time had passed before Zhuge Qing finally crawled out of the chaotic ruins.
He was covered in wounds, with a trace of blood still clinging to the corner of his mouth, but his eyes, which were always surprisingly bright, showed no sign of frustration. Instead, they were filled with an unprecedented clarity and relief.
He looked at Wang Ye, who was also panting heavily and whose face was pale, not far away, and finally couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"We lost! We lost!"
He laughed until tears almost streamed down his face, yet it was a genuine, heartfelt joy.
"But this time, I am completely convinced!"
Wang Ye grinned at his appearance, walked over, and patted him on the shoulder.
"Old Qing, your fire now truly has 'divine' qualities."
"If I hadn't taken the initiative by relying on Feng Hou Qi Men, it's really hard to say who would have won or lost in the end."
The two exchanged a glance, and both saw a hint of mutual appreciation in each other's eyes.
Through this battle, they all gained a completely new understanding of each other and of the "power" of this world.
They quietly left the battlefield, now reduced to ruins, without alerting anyone.
On the way, Zhuge Qing looked at the majestic Longhu Mountain in the distance, which appeared particularly imposing in the night, and a strong interest flashed in his eyes.
"Old Wang, tell me... what exactly is the cultivation level of that Senior Yunyuan?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Ye's smile faded, replaced by a deep sense of apprehension.
"do not know."
He shook his head. "All I know is that he is much deeper than we think."
And that mysterious person who took Ma Xianhong away—their power is enough to overturn the world.
The two fell silent again.
After a long silence, Wang Ye finally spoke, his eyes, which were always half-open, gleaming with wisdom.
"Old Qing, we've really gotten ourselves into this mess."
But this world of martial arts is probably only just beginning to get lively.
Zhuge Qing nodded, his eyes also gleaming with longing for the unknown and fighting spirit.
"If I have the chance in the future, I will definitely visit that senior again and find out the secrets behind him."
"Count me in too."
The two exchanged a smile, and their figures gradually disappeared into the vast night.
A pact between the young warlock and the warlock was thus made.
In the distance, beside a company medical vehicle, Fu Rong looked in the direction Zhuge Qing had left, sighed with a complicated expression, sheathed her long sword, and quietly cooperated with the company's registration.
For her, the dream of Biyou Village was shattered, but the road ahead did not seem to be entirely dark.
And a more magnificent era, full of unknowns and dangers, is slowly unfolding.
Chapter 234 Dragon Tiger Back Mountain, Chen Duo Settles Down
Zhang Yunyuan led Chen Duo step by step onto the winding, thousand-year-old bluestone mountain path of Longhu Mountain.
He walked slowly, and the girl behind him followed silently. There were three steps between them, neither too close nor too far, yet it felt as if they were in two different worlds.
The disciples of Longhu Mountain they encountered along the way all bowed respectfully upon seeing Zhang Yunyuan, addressing him as "Little Master," their eyes filled with heartfelt reverence.
When their gazes fell upon the pretty girl behind Zhang Yunyuan, whose eyes were frighteningly empty, their awe quickly transformed into curiosity and speculation.
Who is this girl?
Why was he personally led up the mountain by the young master?
Zhang Yunyuan ignored these stares.
He didn't go to the Celestial Master's Mansion or return to his own residence. Instead, he led Chen Duo directly to the back mountain.
The back mountain is a quiet place for cultivation in the Celestial Master's Mansion. The spiritual energy there is much richer than that of the front mountain. It is covered with lush bamboo and shrouded in mist all year round. Apart from a few disciples who are responsible for cleaning, few people come here.
He walked through a quiet bamboo forest and finally stopped in front of a steward's courtyard who was in charge of miscellaneous tasks in the back mountain.
A middle-aged Taoist priest, who looked to be around forty or fifty years old, was chopping wood in the courtyard. Upon seeing Zhang Yunyuan, he quickly put down his axe, hurried over, and bowed respectfully.
"Disciple Zhang Heming greets Junior Master. May I ask what brings you here, Junior Master?"
Zhang Heming is Rongshan's disciple, and his cultivation has reached the first-class level. He is considered a minor manager in the back mountain.
Zhang Yunyuan didn't stand on ceremony with him. He simply pointed to another bamboo grove not far behind him, his tone calm but carrying an undeniable determination.
"I want that grove of purple bamboo."