A Named Challenge

The elders of Lanyue and the three sects exchanged glances, wearing the exact same expressions the Myriad Transformations Sect and Daoyuan Mountain had shown just moments ago.

Sending Pang Yong out had been intended as a show of force to intimidate the Tiger-Chasing faction. Who could have expected him to lose!

The remaining early-stage disciples were far inferior to him; sending them up would simply be throwing away the match.

Seeing their dismay greatly satisfied the elders of the two sects. Several stroked their beards, their moods practically lifting to the heavens.

"Junior Brother, this companion cultivator of yours has quite some skill," Xiao Yize praised.

Yang Lingshu nodded. "Fangxuan hails from an affiliated clan of my family. He is the cultivation seedling they spent decades hoping for. He has cultivated the Dao alongside me since childhood. Although his innate aptitude can only be considered above average, his comprehension in the Dao of technique arts is far stronger than mine."

With these words, he attributed Lü Fangxuan's outstanding performance solely to his innate talent in technique arts.

Lü Fangxuan indeed possessed some attainment in technique arts. Elder Yu had already noticed this back when they were cultivating in Sanglu Valley.

But compared to a true technique art genius like Yang Linghu, he was still lacking.

Relying on his own ability alone, there was absolutely no way he could have cultivated his technique arts to the fourth layer in just three months.

The reason he could achieve this was entirely due to the copy of Li Yuande's cultivation insights that Yang Lingshu had transcribed for him.

To prevent others from prying, Yang Lingshu only allowed him to study it within his own cave dwelling. Once it was memorized, the transcribed copy was burned and destroyed.

"Hahaha, Lingshu, this child Fangxuan is quite good. Rest assured, when we return, I will have the inner sect properly nurture him!"

Mo Xian was naturally thrilled that a Myriad Transformations Sect disciple had seized victory in this early-stage battle.

As they spoke, the opposing side made their next move.

They sent out a Qi Gathering fourth-layer cultivator, which was essentially conceding defeat for the early-stage round.

Lü Fangxuan was no fool. Having already completed the task his young master assigned him, there was no need to clash forcefully with this newcomer. He decisively conceded and stepped off the platform.

"Wu Kui Sect's newly promoted direct disciple, Zheng Han, Qi Gathering fourth layer!"

As soon as this person stepped onto the platform, everyone could sense that his aura was countless times stronger than Pang Yong's.

The Wu Kui Sect was the superior sect of Wugui Peak, a northern sect previously under the Tiger-Chasing faction.

After Wugui Peak's mountain gate was breached by the Tiger-Chasing forces, all the treasures and reserves within the sect had been claimed by them. The most precious guardian tree of the sect had also been taken by the He Family.

Thus, the Wu Kui Sect's arrival this time carried a very clear and intense purpose.

"Myriad Transformations Sect's Yang Lingshu, do you dare fight me!"

Zheng Han chose to issue a named challenge, directly calling out Yang Lingshu's name.

At his shout, the minds of many Wangchao Cultivators, including He Shenglai and Zi He, immediately began to turn.

The four sects' mountain-visiting was clearly thoroughly prepared.

Sending the powerful Pang Yong in the first round to intimidate the Tiger-Chasing faction clearly showed they knew there would be no easy countermeasure on this side.

If not for Lü Fangxuan hiding his true strength and failing to reveal it earlier, the Tiger-Chasing faction would have certainly lost the first round.

Now, the Wu Kui Sect was precisely targeting Yang Lingshu. This further proved that before arriving, they had already thoroughly investigated the relationships among the various forces within the Tiger-Chasing faction.

Directly clashing with the He Family was certainly not worthwhile. Picking on the Yang Family-who had risen alongside the He Family's momentum-to test the waters was a much more sensible choice.

Master was right. Among the aristocratic families and sects, there are still quite a few rats, Zi He thought to himself.

He Shenglai leaned forward slightly, narrowing his eyes as he swept his gaze across the opposing cloud boat.

The matter of purging the royal court was for the Demon-Slaying Bureau to handle; he didn't need to worry about it.

What he needed to do was memorize the faces of the Wu Kui Sect members present today, so he could slowly settle accounts with them in the future.

Everyone on the high platform looked at Yang Lingshu. He smiled lightly, rose to his feet, and bowed to Xiao Yize and Mo Xian. Then, he leaped down from the viewing gallery, landing at the center of the Dao Discussion Platform.

"Second Young Master, they want to make an example out of the young master."

"Mm. After all, in their eyes, our Yang Family is just a small Qi Gathering clan with little foundation."

Yang Lingrui said, "In the entirety of the Canglan Northwest, we are at most a small ant. Before Lingshu went up the mountain, his cultivation was only at the Qi Gathering third layer."

Both of them could see that the four sects regarded Yang Lingshu as a soft persimmon they could easily pinch.

Zheng Han appeared to be two or three years older than Yang Lingshu. His Qi Gathering fourth-layer peak cultivation was incredibly solid, and his combat prowess approached that of a fifth-layer cultivator. Dealing with Yang Lingshu-who had been at the Qi Gathering third layer just three months ago-should be more than enough.

However, whether it was Mo Xian and his disciple, or Yang Lingrui and Lü Fangxuan, none of them were the least bit worried for Yang Lingshu.

The intelligence the four sects had gathered seemed somewhat outdated. Or rather, in their eyes, in just three short months, Yang Lingshu breaking through to the fourth layer would be the absolute limit; his combat prowess couldn't possibly undergo any further transformation.

But they absolutely could not imagine the truth.

In these mere three months, after receiving the cultivation insights transmitted by Chen Yang's thoughts and switching his cultivation to a Spirit Communion cultivation art, Yang Lingshu's cultivation and combat prowess had undergone a complete metamorphosis. He could no longer be compared to the person he was three months ago.

"Myriad Transformations Sect, Heavenwalk Peak, direct disciple Yang Lingshu, accepts your challenge."

As he spoke, he no longer concealed his cultivation base. He allowed his aura to surge until it settled squarely at the fourth-layer peak!

"Fourth-layer peak? This!"

Zheng Han's eyes widened in sheer shock.

Because according to their intelligence, Yang Lingshu had merely been at the Qi Gathering third layer three months ago!

How could he have traversed an entire layer of cultivation in such a short time!

Zheng Han's mind raced. Could it be that in the mere three months since joining the Myriad Transformations Sect, this person encountered an Epiphany Fated Chance?

But he didn't have much time to overthink it, as the three supervising cultivators on the platform had already announced the start of the match.

Whoosh-

Zheng Han's figure suddenly blurred into a piercing beam of golden light. He shot forward, tearing through the air with a howling gale.

The Wu Kui Sect knew Yang Lingshu cultivated the dual paths of water and wood. Therefore, they specifically dispatched Zheng Han, who majored in the metal path and supplemented it with wind arts.

In terms of the five elements, metal countered wood. With wind arts enhancing his speed, Zheng Han held an overwhelming advantage in technique arts.

Yang Lingshu immediately responded. One hand unleashed a torrent of water in an attempt to slow Zheng Han down, while the other hand slammed into the ground. Thick tree trunks sprouted upward, intertwining and overlapping into a giant wooden shield for defense.

But Zheng Han's speed proved superior. He cleanly dodged Yang Lingshu's rushing water, using the opening to close the distance.

As for the giant wooden shield, Zheng Han condensed his arm into a long blade of golden light. With just a few swift slashes, he hacked the shield into splinters.

Seeing this, many young disciples in the audience couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

"Hiss... things don't look good."

"Senior Brother Yang's technique arts are being completely countered. If this continues, he might be in danger."

Even the two Myriad Transformations Sect elders showed a trace of anxiety. But upon seeing Mo Xian sitting beside them, calm as ever, they let out a breath and returned their expectant gazes to the Dao Discussion Platform.

Sure enough, in the next moment, a highly unexpected scene unfolded on the platform.

Zheng Han closed in, swinging his golden blade of light, striking several times at Yang Lingshu.

Yet, this fierce offensive was completely evaded by Yang Lingshu, who utilized a remarkably exquisite footwork technique.

He moved like willow catkins dancing gracefully in the wind. As his steps shifted, no matter how fiercely Zheng Han's golden blade slashed, it could not touch even the hem of his robes.

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