Chapter 149: Yuan Qing and Kun Cheng's Duel

Yuan Qing's disciples were concentrating on their cultivation, some were meditating, some were practicing martial arts, and some were studying the Dao. However, when they were concentrating, they heard the summoning bell of Kuncheng Peak ringing.

Since the summoning bell rang, something must have happened. All the disciples quickly put down what they were doing and rushed to the Wuji Palace.

When Banxia arrived at the dojo outside Wuji Palace, many people had already gathered there. She was wondering what had happened when she heard a burst of cheers.

Could it be that the headmaster suddenly had an idea and set up a stage here to perform a big show?

If it can be called a big show, it is indeed a big show, but it is a stage set up by Lingxiang to help the Kunwu Sect, and Shangqing Zhenren only provides a venue for it.

When Banxia didn't know what to do, she saw Lianqiao waving at her not far away. She hurried over and found that there were two people fighting on the martial arts stage. When she looked over, she saw that one was wearing a blue Taoist robe and the other was wearing a red Taoist armor.

"What's going on?" Banxia asked hurriedly before she got close.

Lian Qiao reached out and pulled her over. "The visitors to the sect a few days ago were these people. They said they were from the Kunwu Sect and that they were here to exchange Taoist techniques. So, the sect has already arranged for them to attend."

Lian Qiao raised her hand to signal, and Banxia looked in the direction she pointed. On the Wangxian Terrace, the headmaster and the seven elders were all sitting there, and next to the headmaster sat someone they had never seen before.

Banxia was a little puzzled now. Lianqiao said that he came a few days ago, but why had she never heard of him?

At this moment, Qian Yuan Zhenren stood up and said to the people below the Wangxian Terrace:

"A few days ago, a fellow sect member, Kunwu, came to visit us to exchange Taoist techniques and martial arts. However, we know that there are different levels of Taoism, and it would be unfair for new and old disciples to compete on the same stage. So, Taoist Master Xuantan and I discussed and decided to have the new disciples compete, as this would be fair and just. We just did it to liven things up. Now that everyone has arrived, anyone who is confident in their cultivation can come up and give it a try. Even if they lose, it's not a big deal. It's just a competition, and the important thing is to participate."

"But since this is a sparring match, there are three rules. First, you must not use too much force, and must stop when you are satisfied. Second, if you fall off the stage, you will be considered defeated. Third, this is just a sparring match between the two factions, and you must not damage the harmony or hold grudges."

"This competition will be held in an arena format. The winner will receive a marrow cleansing pill personally refined by Elder Fu Cang of my sect!"

As Zhenren Qianyuan spoke, he raised his hand and pointed to a square table on the martial arts stage. On the table was a small box, which was open. Inside it actually was a pill, glowing with golden light.

This medicine is obviously worth a lot of money!

The name of Elder Fu Cang was not unfamiliar to those present. Not to mention the disciples of the Yuanqing Sect, even the disciples of the Kunwu Sect had heard about the purpose of this trip before the visit.

Anyone who can obtain this pill can not only use it for himself, but also exchange it for a lot of silver. It's a pity that only new disciples can compete for it. But I think whoever gets it will definitely present it to Taoist Xuantan with both hands.

There will always be brave men when there is a big reward.

Among the Kunwu Sect disciples, a burly man jumped onto the martial arts stage, bowed towards the Wangxian Terrace and said:

"Disciple Shao Yuan, I'm willing to fight!"

The man on the stage had a dark square face, angry brows, and a ferocious look, which added a bit of momentum to his expression. He turned over, took out a nine-section long whip from behind him, and casually swung it to the ground, making a "snapping" sound that made the expression even more imposing.

Yet, no one from the Yuanqing Sect responded to the challenge, leaving Master Zhaoming extremely anxious. This was a top-grade marrow cleansing pill! The sect normally taught its disciples to keep a low profile, but how could they possibly act this way today? Even for the sake of the sect's reputation, they couldn't remain silent, right? If outsiders learned of this, wouldn't they think the Yuanqing Sect was cowardly?

Cheng Yu saw his master sitting upright and knew he was anxious. He flipped over and flew onto the martial arts stage. He bowed to the Wangxiantai, then bowed to Shao Yuan and said loudly:

"The Yuanqing faction's Chengqi is willing to accept the challenge!"

Shao Yuan was a little surprised to see that the person who came was of the same size as himself. He had been in Yuanqing Sect for a few days and had only met people of small stature. He didn't expect that there would be such a person.

However, his expression was calm. He just bowed politely, said "Please teach me", and then got into position.

But Cheng Yu just stood with his hands behind his back, and he didn't take out any weapons or magic tools. For a while, there was no movement on the stage.

Shao Yuan was puzzled when he saw this: "Fellow Daoist, why don't you use weapons and magical instruments to resist? Do you look down on my Kunwu Sect?"

Cheng Yu smiled upon hearing this, "Fellow Daoist, you've misunderstood. I'm a disciple of Master Zhao Ming, the Master of the Yuanqing Sect. Since entering the Dao, I've learned the basics of formation techniques from him. It's precisely because I'm cautious that I intend to fight with formation techniques."

Shao Yuan nodded after hearing this. He had heard before that Master Zhao Ming of the Yuanqing Sect was very good at formation techniques. The other party's behavior this time clearly showed that he was showing enough respect.

"In that case, let's get started."

Yet, despite this, neither of them moved. This puzzled the audience. Had these two come on stage just to face each other, and were they just standing there? Or were they so advanced in their cultivation that they were actually engaging in a battle of wills?

In reality, this is naturally not the case.

For those who are good at forming formations, most of them will have some magical weapons hidden on their bodies all year round. They will not show them easily on weekdays. Only when the opponent attacks will they instantly make hand gestures and twist their fingers to activate them. If they are not sure of the attack, they will surely be defeated if they act rashly.

Those who are good at setting up formations usually do not take the initiative to attack, so as not to expose their abilities and give others an opportunity to take advantage.

"Alas~ What a pity... What a pity..."

Banxia and Lianqiao were looking at the stage nervously when they heard a sigh beside them, followed by a crisp "click" sound.

They turned around and saw Lingxiang standing beside them, peeling pine seeds in her hands, as if she was watching a play. However, she did not eat the peeled pine seeds, but put them in a blue purse.

It was at this moment that Banxia realized that she had been feeling as if something was missing. It turned out that Elder Fu Cang was missing from the stage.

She and Lian Qiao were about to bow, but Lingxiang stopped them.

"It's inconvenient to tell anyone about my identity now, so you two don't have to be so polite," she said as she squeezed towards the two of them. As soon as she was in front of them, she said, "There's no need to be like this when we meet on a normal day. We are of similar age, so we can be sisters. Just call me by my name. Calling me 'elder' all the time makes me feel extremely uncomfortable."

As for why Banxia likes Lingxiang, it is because of Lingxiang's free and easy personality. She never looks at others based on their status, but only treats them with sincerity. She is also a person who never pretends.

Lian Qiao was reluctant at first, but Banxia helped her.

"In that case, I'll call you Lingxiang."

Lian Qiao's eyes widened in shock when she heard Banxia call out Lingxiang's name directly without even a hint of respect or raising her hand.

this……

Isn't this against etiquette?

However, Lingxiang seemed to be genuinely unconcerned and simply smiled and said, "That's right!" She even nudged closer to the two of them and said, "There are so few women in the sect, and yet they're still so rigidly bound by etiquette. How boring."

After hearing this, Lian Qiao finally felt relieved. It seemed that Elder Fu Cang really didn't care about these things, just as Banxia had always told her.

No wonder Banxia always talked to her about Elder Fu Cang before. The two of them really have similar personalities.

But I found it difficult to speak for a moment, so I had to change the subject: "Just now you said it was a pity, what was it that was a pity?"

Lingxiang smacked her lips upon hearing this, then took another pine seed from her pocket and began to peel it, tut-tutting, "I'm sorry for Chengqi's lack of skills. I never thought your Uncle Zhaoming would teach him formation techniques. His swordsmanship was truly remarkable before. If he had practiced until now, I think he would have achieved some success."

Lian Qiao was deeply concerned. She had seen Cheng Yu's swordsmanship before, and it was indeed very powerful. However, she was confused. If he practiced formation techniques, could he not practice swordsmanship? She still remembered that Master Chengxin was also quite proficient in formation techniques, but he was often seen practicing with a sword.

Besides, don’t we often have to use swords to set up formations?

The methods involved are naturally different. For example, for Master Chengxin, swordsmanship is his forte, while formation techniques are just an auxiliary to him and are not used too often.

However, if one practices formations, the sword cannot be considered a weapon; it would be more appropriate to call it a magical instrument. If a sword is used, its function is merely to draw out the spiritual energy within the body for use in the formation.

However, compared to Cheng Yu, that may not be the case. Since Cheng Yu is so good at swordsmanship, it is possible that he can practice both to perfection. I just don't know how Master Zhao Ming will train him.

Forget it. After all, he is Senior Brother Zhao Ming’s disciple. How to teach him is his business. It has nothing to do with her.

Lingxiang thought so and threw a pine seed into her purse.

Now she appeared here as a substitute spirit and could not enjoy these, but she could prepare them first, and eat them all after this matter was settled. It would be a very pleasant experience.

Just as he was thinking about it, Shao Yuan on the stage twisted his hands, turned around, swung his long whip, and attacked Cheng Yu. The whip made a roaring sound and was surrounded by streaks of lightning.

As the saying goes, an inch longer is an inch stronger. I am a long whip, which gives me a considerable advantage over the unarmed Chengqi. It would be better to strike first and maximize this advantage. I might be able to win in one fell swoop.

The whip flashed with lightning and was swung towards Cheng Yu. It came so fast, like a bolt of lightning, and was about to hit him.

But Cheng Yu did not panic. He waited until the long whip was close to his eyes, then he squatted down and easily dodged it. Then he used his hands to pinch the Five Elements Wood Character Formula.

Lingxiang was a little surprised when she saw this. After not seeing him for several months, she didn't expect that Chengqi had already reached the foundation-building stage. Although the hand gestures he used were just the very common Five Elements Techniques, it was a small formation.

This formation can summon things that the caster sees in daily life with the will of the caster, and it is a basic formation used in actual combat. It can only be practiced by those with foundation-building cultivation.

It seems that Senior Brother Zhao Ming is quite good at teaching people, but I underestimated him.

Cheng Yu was seen making hand gestures like an old hand who was used to the technique of hand gestures. As the hand gestures were fixed, several trees suddenly sprang out from the ground on both sides of him.

In this way, Shao Yuan could no longer use the whip technique, and he could no longer use the thunder technique.

This move was quite ingenious. Even the elders on the stage had to praise it. Master Zhao Ming felt so proud that his face flushed with joy.

He had previously been struggling with how to train this disciple, but he didn't expect that he would take the initiative to ask to learn the art of formation.

At first, Master Zhaoming felt a pity. He had seen Cheng Yu's swordsmanship, but unfortunately, he wasn't very good at it. He had considered asking Master Chengxin to teach him, but he hadn't expected Cheng Yu to be extremely talented in formations. In just a few months, he had mastered some of the basics. Furthermore, his reflexes were exceptional; even if he was given a random formation question, he would be able to quickly execute the hand gestures.

This disciple really satisfied him! It was worth his Fire Spirit Pearl.

But when he thought of the Fire Spirit Pearl, Master Zhao Ming's cheek twitched, and his smugness dissipated a lot.

It hurts! It hurts so much!

Shao Yuan saw this scene, but he did not panic. He withdrew his hand and collected all nine sections of the whip.

Since waving the whip doesn't work, let's just throw it!

Thinking of this, Shao Yuan turned around and approached Cheng Yu. When they were still three or four steps apart, he threw the whip in his hand towards Cheng Yu. Only then did Cheng Yu see that the first section of the nine-section whip was actually holding a dagger.

Seeing the dagger coming, Cheng Yu quickly used his martial arts to retreat, and then he performed a small move with his hand, which was a golden technique.

As soon as the hand seals were formed, a sword suddenly appeared in front of Cheng Yu. It was the same soft sword he had used when he was in the outer sect. He quickly took it and swung it, wrapping Shao Yuan's soft whip around the blade.

Banxia was a little worried when she saw this. Shao Yuan was a soft whip and also proficient in thunder magic. Wouldn't it be like walking into a trap if she was entangled by him?

Not only Banxia thought so, everyone thought so too. However, judging from the situation just now, Cheng Yu could only use this as a delaying tactic.

At this moment, Shao Yuan made a hand gesture and was about to use the thunder magic technique. When everyone saw this, they were all worried for Cheng Yu. Even Master Zhao Ming sat up and stared at the martial arts stage intently.

Although Shao Yuan's cultivation level is not high, if he were to be hit by this blow, the impact would be severe and he might be injured.

Everyone was extremely nervous, but Lingxiang was very calm. She actually took out another pine seed from her waist bag and started peeling it. The crackling sound was even louder.

Of course, she didn't not care, but she believed that Cheng Yu must have some plan.

Lingxiang was sure that Cheng Qi would win this round.

It happened so quickly that when the thunder magic was about to fall, Cheng Yu exerted force and sent the sword out. The sword flew towards one of the trees he had just summoned under Cheng Yu's force, and the sword was stuck firmly on the branch.

The thunder spell naturally hit the tree, but Shao Yuan's whip was still entangled with the sword, and before he could let go, Cheng Yu turned around and kicked him off the martial arts stage.

All this happened in just a moment. Before anyone could react, they heard a cheer coming from somewhere, and then everyone followed suit.

The person cheering was naturally Lingxiang, but now she was hidden in the crowd and was shouting in a deep voice, so no one knew who she was.

Shao Yuan, who had been kicked off the martial arts stage, stood up, clutching his chest. He bowed to Cheng Yu without a trace of displeasure on his face. "Brother Daoist, you are very clever. I admit defeat."

Cheng Qi also returned the greeting: "Thank you for your kindness!"