Lin Shanshan's heart chilled, somewhat surprised.
"Ning Zhuo is casting Root Vine Entanglement much faster than before!"
She had been grounded for some time and, despite having seen videos of Ning Zhuo's battle with Hua Guzi, since then, Ning Zhuo often practiced with Hua Guzi in the Martial Arts Arena, and his skill in casting spells had improved quite a bit.
However, the bound Linghu Jiu suddenly faded away.
Then, he reappeared seven steps ahead.
Wood Element Magic—Void Bamboo Shadow!
Linghu Jiu said with a light smile, "Brother Ning Zhuo, you are not the only one proficient in Wood Element Magic."
In the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect, there were dozens of Enlightenment Maps related to the Five Elements Magic. Originally, Ning Zhuo had selected three out of a dozen Enlightenment Maps with Lin Shanshan's help.
The Ten Thousand Medicine Sect, possessing over ten thousand kinds of herbs, had profound knowledge of the Five Element Magic. This was because, using the techniques of the Five Elements, they could manipulate the environment to simulate the ideal conditions for various herbs to grow.
As the chief elder brother of the Ten Thousand Medicine Sect, Linghu Jiu was raised and nurtured from childhood by Lin Bufan and naturally mastered numerous techniques.
Holding a sharp sword, Linghu Jiu continued rushing towards Ning Zhuo.
Ning Zhuo kept retreating, his mana surging, and he pushed with both palms.
Wood Element Magic—Pine Waves, Green Waves.
The sound of the pine waves suddenly rose, and a surge of green light rushed forward like a giant wave.
The smile on Linghu Jiu's face slightly diminished, and his body suddenly emitted a jade-green light, tough and stable.
Wood Element Magic—Bamboo Joint Green Tenacity!
Relying on this technique, Linghu Jiu forcefully withstood the pine waves, his whole person like a sharp sword, piercing through the green waves and closing the distance between himself and Ning Zhuo.
He also knew much information about Ning Zhuo, aware that the latter was skilled in casting spells, and close combat was merely a recent development.
There was no helping it; Lin Shanshan enjoyed sparring with Ning Zhuo very much and often divulged these matters to the chief elder brother while delivering food to Linghu Jiu.
Although Linghu Jiu was just an image now, it still retained many memories of Linghu Jiu's real body.
Seeing that two consecutive spells were unable to overcome his opponent, Ning Zhuo felt unavoidably suppressed.
He quickly calculated that the remaining time and space only allowed him to cast one last spell, which was a crucial decision.
Wood Element Magic—Tree Realm Descent!
He still chose the very familiar Tree Realm Descent, a technique good for both offense and defense, truly his favorite.
In the next moment, towering ancient trees quickly sprung up, countless branches and vines snaking towards Linghu Jiu from all directions.
Ning Zhuo then stood within a densely thick canopy, looking down on Linghu Jiu.
Indeed, the Tree Realm Descent was very practical; using this Wood Element Technique, he transformed the battlefield to his advantage.
Of course, nothing is perfect in this world.
A major drawback of Tree Realm Descent was its Mana consumption.
Compared to the previous two spells, its consumption was fifty times that of Root Vine Entanglement and more than ten times that of Pine Waves, Green Waves.
With only the early stage of Foundation Establishment in his cultivation, other cultivators would have found it exceedingly difficult to maintain the Tree Realm Descent technique—usually, their mana would have depleted within a dozen breaths.
But Ning Zhuo's Five Elements Qi Regulation Art was one of the Three Superior Sect Techniques, outstandingly distinguished. The Five Elements Mana was clear and distinct, and capable of transforming into each other, enabling Ning Zhuo to cast this spell in actual combat.
"How has this kid, Ning Zhuo, increased his combat power so much in such a short time?" Zhu Xuanji, watching the battle, couldn't help but be deeply shocked.
He had a deep understanding of Ning Zhuo.
In the conflicts at Lava Fairy Palace and the battle at Mist Hidden Mountain, he had never seen Ning Zhuo display such powerful Wood Element Magic.
"Could it be that this is what he has achieved during his time in Ten Thousand Medicine Valley?"
Zhu Xuanji's gaze flickered uncertainly, "The Son of Destiny, indeed cannot be judged by common standards!"
Linghu Jiu found himself amidst the Ancient Wood Forest, trapped in an ambush.
His momentum was finally contained by countless roots and branches.
While defending with his sword, Linghu Jiu circulated his mana, poised to strike.
His sword danced in his hands, creating a brilliant sword flower, cutting through roots and shattering branches.
He temporarily broke out of the encirclement, surveyed the battlefield, spotted Ning Zhuo's position, and suddenly cast a spell.
Water Element Technique—Green Water Surrounding.
The mana was exhausted, transforming into a stream of green water ripples, encircling Linghu Jiu.
This technique was both offensive and defensive and could boost Linghu Jiu's movement, carrying him towards Ning Zhuo.
Most of the entangling roots and vines were crushed and drained by the green water.
Ning Zhuo naturally wouldn't sit by waiting for death.
Wood Element Magic—Life-Stealing Flower!
The next moment, numerous flower buds began to grow on the vines and roots.
In a single breath, these buds swelled in the wind. In the next breath, they all blossomed.
The vines and roots, deprived of mana, wilted instantly.
But the flowers detached from the vines and fluttered into the air.
The flower petals were extremely sharp, like thousands of hidden weapons, enveloping Linghu Jiu.
This Wood Element Magic, taught by Hua Guzi, could be used on the basis of Tree Realm Descent, significantly multiplying its combat power.
Realizing the severity, Linghu Jiu no longer dared to block directly and cried out lightly, employing a new method.
Water Element Technique—One Wave Three Twists.
The green water surrounding him, fueled by mana, suddenly tripled in volume.
The green water propelled Linghu Jiu, intensifying his charge and suddenly changing direction towards the ground to avoid the rain of petals.
Ning Zhuo's eyes sparkled with cunning, constantly controlling the petal rain to relentlessly pursue Linghu Jiu.
Countless petals intermingled, flowing endlessly among the dark brown tree trunks and lush foliage, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene. Yet, within this beauty was a fierce offensive that left Linghu Jiu struggling to escape and kept Shanshan breathlessly watching.
The green water twisted around Linghu Jiu, who, due to his excessive momentum, crashed directly into the ground.
The second twist.
His direction abruptly changed, veering upward.
Behind him, the relentless petal rain whizzed continuously, striking the ground and piercing through the entire root system, turning it into a pinkish deep pool.
The remaining three tenths of the petals, because they were at the back, managed to survive.
"It's time to move." While Ning Zhuo controlled the petal rain for continued assassination, he began to prepare another technique.
His sparring with Hua Guzi had been quite fruitful.
Now, he could maintain one spell while simultaneously starting another.
Wood Element Magic—Fragrant Flower Illusion!
Ning Zhuo vanished on the spot, leaving only the fragrance of flowers and a few petals.
Linghu Jiu missed his target.
But a shower of petals came attacking.
The third twist.
He exhausted his last twist and soared high into the sky, overlooking the entire battlefield.
Upon seeing Ning Zhuo dodge, Lin Shanshan felt bitter and thought, "How many more spells has Hua Guzi taught Ning Zhuo? Did he teach him all his signature spells?"
"Those two were clearly enemies before."
"Hmph. Hua Guzi, that seductress! And Ning Zhuo... that blockhead, he's too eager to learn!"
She then secretly assessed the situation of the battle.
Linghu Jiu possessed both Wood and Water Element techniques, skillful in both attack and defense, and adept in maneuvering. Ning Zhuo, although only using the Wood Element, was the same. The battle between them was bound to be a war of attrition.
It depended on each of their reserves of Mana.
From this standpoint, Linghu Jiu had the advantage. But Ning Zhuo himself was not without Elixir Pills, and if he continued to take them to restore his strength, he could last even longer in the battle.
"Besides, it is when one of the combatants makes a mistake that the situation could drastically change."
Both Ning Zhuo and Linghu Jiu were well aware of the direction the battle might take, as Lin Shanshan had deduced.
Linghu Jiu, hanging high in the sky, called out loudly, "Younger Brother Ning Zhuo, this is a friendly contest, not a fight to the death, feel free to be bold and direct. If we continue to stalemate, it won't be pretty."
After all, figures like Lin Bufan and Shen Lingshu were watching the fight.
Ning Zhuo nodded, remembering that his purpose here was to explore the Luminous Mirror and that the fight with Linghu Jiu was just a preliminary show. He responded, "What my brother says is wise. I shall heed."
Though he spoke, his true body remained hidden.
Linghu Jiu laughed heartily, "Younger brother, take this move of mine!"
In the next moment, he spread his arms wide, stretched his fingers, took a deep breath, and his Mana was crazily consumed, transforming into a massive wave.
Water Element Technique—Water Strike Three Thousand!
The giant wave crashed down, flooding into the Ancient Wood Forest.
Bang.
The first strike.
Most of the ancient trees collapsed.
Ning Zhuo quickly activated his mana, causing new giant trees to grow.
Bang.
The second strike.
The newly sprouted ancient trees also broke under the impact of the water, with trunks and broken branches flowing with the current.
Ning Zhuo sighed in his heart, realizing that Linghu Jiu was winning by brute force, relying on his higher cultivation level to overpower him.
He decisively pulled back, stopping the input of mana to avoid entering an unfavorable situation of depleting his mana.
Bang.
The third strike.
The few remaining ancient trees all fell, turning the battlefield into a small lake.
Without the cover of plants, Ning Zhuo was forced to show himself.
The terrain was no longer in his control; he could transform the battlefield, but so could Linghu Jiu.
Ning Zhuo thought with admiration, "Compared to the Wood Element, it seems Linghu Jiu is more proficient in the Water Element."
"Little brother, my turn!" Linghu Jiu dove down from the sky, his aura as majestic and forceful as a colorful rainbow.
Ning Zhuo slightly changed expression, and with his hands, he alternated between casting Five Elements Magic, resisting the assault while retreating.
Linghu Jiu no longer used the Wine Forest Swordsmanship; wherever his sword edge touched, it was invincible.
Ning Zhuo was extremely distressed, unable to counterattack, and after more than thirty breaths, he had multiple wounds all over his body, with blood flowing incessantly from his injuries.
Linghu Jiu grunted coldly, "What are you thinking, little brother? Bring out your Mechanical Artifacts already."
Ning Jiufan also frowned deeply. Ning Zhuo excelled in Mechanical Artifacts, and yet he hasn't used them up to now, facing a powerful opponent like Linghu Jiu—it was unwise to be so overconfident!
Yet suddenly, Ning Zhuo's face broke into a smile, "Elder brother, your Water Strike Three Thousand just now, was it like this?"
Saying so, he pointed at the water under his feet.
In the next moment, the water surged like dragons and pythons, dozens of strands rising into the sky towards Linghu Jiu.
Caught off guard, Linghu Jiu hurriedly swung his sword light to defend.
Bang.
The first strike.
Linghu Jiu was pushed back.
Bang.
The second strike.
Linghu Jiu's sword light dispersed.The water dissipated.
The third strike ended without incident.
Ning Zhuo's eyes sparkled with excitement, "Oh, oh, I made a mistake there. This time, it should be right!"
Water Element—Water Strike Three Thousand!
Hundreds of streams of water surged again towards Linghu Jiu, forcing him back.
Lin Shanshan exclaimed quietly, "That isn't just any Water Strike Three Thousand, no, wait, it does seem to be Water Strike Three Thousand."
The technique of Water Strike Three Thousand was supposed to be three massive waves, fierce and overwhelming. But when Ning Zhuo executed it, it was as the previous Root Vine Pass-Through, like dragons and pythons. Nonetheless, the dragon and python combination still possessed the force of three intense collisions. This was indeed the essence of Water Strike Three Thousand!
Thus Lin Shanshan's remarks sounded contradictory.
The spectators were all deeply moved.
"Enlightenment during battle! How is this possible?"
"Does Ning Zhuo's intelligence truly defy the natural order?"
"Monster!!"