Chapter 230: Chapter 229: Fighting the Law (Congratulations to the Silver Alliance!)_1
Half a month later.
Outside Dragon Fish Island, a cyan rainbow flew in and landed on the boat dock, revealing the figure of Liu Sanqi with a goat beard, an ebony hairpin, and carrying a medicine box on his back.
"Dragon Fish Island is quite lively today,"
he said to himself as he looked down at the Spirit Boats below.
Soon after, a hundred flowers Escape Light flew in, brightening Liu Sanqi’s eyes. He stepped forward to greet her, "Fairy Taoling is also here?"
Ruan Xingling landed on the island, prompting cultivators all around to pay their respects.
Having defeated Chong Ruhu and ruled Thousand Island Lake for many years, she had earned the unofficial title of ’Master of the Thousand Island Lake’.
Seeing Liu Sanqi, she also returned the courtesy gracefully, "Indeed... After all, this is a grand event, with Mr. Fang challenging the Elder of the Spirit Sword Sect. How could I not come?"
Her face wore a smile that suggested she harbored no worries about the upcoming battle. This prompted Liu Sanqi to ask, "Fairy Ruan’s confidence in Mr. Fang is remarkable... But Li Rujian is a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator with magic power nearly double that of us in the mid-stage, not to mention that the Spirit Sword Sect is full of sword cultivators. His ’Metal Sword Spell’ is renowned throughout Yue Country, and even Ancestor Song of the Song Family, at his peak of complete Foundation Establishment, had to show him some respect..."
Sword cultivators were known for their fierce combat skills, and the Elder of the Spirit Sword Sect was naturally one of the best among them.
Even the Elder of the Gloomy Moon Sect seemed slightly inferior in comparison.
"I am well aware of his capabilities, but Mr. Fang has been a dear friend of mine for many years. I know him to never do anything he’s not confident in,"
Ruan Xingling replied.
While they were talking, a five-colored tower boat with a black moon emblem embroidered on its sails flashed into existence in the southern sky.
"It’s people from the Gloomy Moon Sect; they have also arrived."
Surrounded by gasps from the crowd, someone exclaimed, "And leading them is that Elder!"
"After all, we are all Sect cultivators..."
Ruan Xingling smiled slightly and went with Liu Sanqi to the Evergreen Pavilion.
Although it was Fang Xi who had scheduled the duel with Li Rujian, the situation had evolved into inviting friends to witness the event, partly due to necessity.
Li Rujian feared Fang Xi would turn hostile and attack with a group, while Fang Xi was concerned that Li Rujian might not accept defeat graciously.
Thus, inviting witnesses seemed the better option.
Back and forth, the duel had even begun to take on the semblance of a grand event in Thousand Island Lake.
After all, duels between Foundation Establishment cultivators were extremely rare, especially those involving late-stage cultivators.
Yes, to the relatively inexperienced cultivators of Thousand Island Lake, late-stage Foundation Establishment equates to ’great cultivators’!
Foundation Establishment cultivators have a long lifespan and are considered the upper-middle class in Yue Country, rarely fighting to death...
Inside the Evergreen Pavilion, there were already two Foundation Establishment cultivators present, both from the Mysterious Heaven Sect.
"Greetings to Sir Yan and Sir Zhan..."
Ruan Xingling glanced and immediately noticed Yan Changkong, with Yan Dongqing standing behind him.
Zhan Tu, in his Taoist robe and carrying the aura of fireworks and alchemy, was said to have advanced his Alchemy Skill to the second level after Foundation Establishment, and was highly regarded in the Mysterious Heaven Sect.
At that moment, Zhan Tu respectfully said to Fang Xi, "Previously when Zhan Tu was cultivating and reaching Foundation Establishment, I must thank the Island Master for his support. This is the Spirit Stone I owe..."
As he spoke, he handed over a Storage Bag to Fang Xi.
"Sir, you are too kind,"
Fang Xi laughed heartily as he took the Storage Bag. With a sweep of his Divine Consciousness, he knew the Spirit Stones given by the man were indeed more than expected.
Just then, Zhan Tu said, "I come here with an audacious request. Now that I reside in the Mysterious Heaven Sect, I long for my parents. I humbly ask the Island Master to permit bringing my family to the Sect for care..."
"Of course..."
Fang Xi had never intended to leverage Zhan Tu’s parents as hostages, something that could not only fail but easily breed enmity. He agreed without hesitation.
"Thank you, Island Master," Zhan Tu’s face lit up with joy as he sat back down.
Only then did Fang Xi have time to entertain Ruan Xingling and Liu Sanqi.
It wasn’t long before the Elder of the Gloomy Moon Sect also arrived.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, nobody was concerned Fang Xi would suddenly turn hostile and attempt to capture or kill all the cultivators on the island. The Elder comfortably made her way onto the island.
Little did she know, Fang Xi was also contemplating, "So many cultivators came today. If I activated the ’Nine Nether Profound Wood Array,’ it would be quite a bounty..."
Fortunately, he merely entertained the thought and avoided a Demon Disaster that would have resulted in a river of blood.
"Gloomy Moon Sir, your presence today truly honors us. Please, enjoy our island’s specialty, the Cloud Dragon Tea!"
Fang Xi invited the Gloomy Moon Sect Elder to sit down with a beaming smile. In this Sect, inheritance of the previous generation’s title was the norm, thus she was known as "You Yuezi."
You Yuezi took a sip of the Spiritual Tea, her expression still as cold as ice, "Mr. Fang... I’ve heard that today’s duel stems from your sheltering a cultivation-robber on the island. If that’s true, please heed my advice: cultivation-robbers deserve death, and it would be in your best interest not to err!"
This woman had always detested evil, and her disposition had only hardened after the Gloomy Moon Sect’s marketplace was destroyed.
After all, the young female cultivator who died had been her favored disciple, considered a future successor.
Now gone, cultivating another Foundation Establishment cultivator would strain even the Gloomy Moon Sect.
Moreover, Sect cultivators tend to support each other, which made her comments rather blunt.
"You shouldn’t believe every rumor, Gloomy Moon Sir. It’s not yet certain who the cultivation-robber is."
Ruan Xingling said with a smile that was not quite a smile, subtly jabbing at You Yuezi.
"Hmph... If that weren’t the case, why would that female cultivator have ’Blood Soul Thread’ on her? Why else would Li Sir have followed the trail all the way here?"
You Yuezi snorted coldly.
"I don’t wish to argue who’s right or wrong... In any case, I have made an agreement with Li Sir. Let’s wait for the results of the duel..."
Fang Xi said indifferently.
The Cultivation World has always been a place where the strong prey upon the weak; talking about evidence is a joke, as it all comes down to magical duels!
He was confident in his Divine Skills, even if he suppressed his Magic Power to mid-stage Foundation Establishment, he had great chances of defeating an average late-stage cultivator.
And if Li Rujian really had cultivated some terrifying Sword Path Divine Skill that could defeat him, then he would simply hand over Zhong Hongyu...
The last resort would be to activate the Nine Nether Profound Wood Array if Li Rujian, not only powerful but also persistent in causing trouble even after killing Zhong Hongyu, refused to let go. Then all the outsiders would be ensnared and eliminated in one fell swoop...
’It shouldn’t come to this, should it?’
Fang Xi held his teacup, trying to ease the atmosphere as he chatted with everyone about the insights gained during their Foundation Establishment cultivation.
For a moment, the gathering was full of joy, both for the host and the guests.
Three hours later.
"They’re here!"
His expression shifted and he turned into a blue rainbow, flying out of the Evergreen Pavilion, followed by cultivators who had reached the Foundation Establishment stage, each riding their own Escape Light.
Outside the island, they saw two figures in black clothes flying towards them like sharp swords. It was Li Rujian and another Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Spirit Sword Sect!
Both were dressed in black and carried swords, but the person following Li Rujian was younger.
"Mr. Li, you’ve finally arrived. Please have a cup of Spiritual Tea..."
Fang Xi said with a smile on his face.
"Cut the nonsense. Now that everyone is here, pick a place and we can begin," said Li Rujian, not interested in small talk.
Sword cultivators have always been of such a straightforward nature.
"Well then... there is a barren mountain on the island that would serve as the perfect battlefield, please!"
Fang Xi waved his hand and, transforming into a blue rainbow, led the way. The other Foundation Establishment cultivators followed, either riding Sword Light or flying out with Spiritual Instruments.
As for those Qi Refining cultivators who had come to watch excitement, they could only sadly ride their magical instruments in pursuit, quickly falling behind the Foundation Establishment cultivators’ Escape Light, unable to do anything about it...
...
"This place will do..."
Atop a barren mountain on Dragon Fish Island.
Fang Xi stood in the air, wearing a blue robe, looking elegant: "Please make your move first, Sir..."
Li Rujian, standing opposite him, wasted no further words. With a flick of his fingers, a golden Sword Qi, several dozen feet long, shot through the air towards Fang Xi, sharp and imposing, carrying a metallic sharpness unique to Metal Element!
In dealing with a mid Foundation Establishment cultivator, Li Rujian wasn’t even willing to draw his sword at the start!
"Metal Sword Spell!"
Liu Sanqi’s eyes lit up: "Today, I will finally witness the renowned sword cultivation technique from Yue Country!"
"Metal dominates wood. Not only is there a difference in their cultivation levels, but with one cultivating Metal Element techniques and the other Wooden Element techniques, it’s even easier to be targeted..."
Yan Changkong murmured to himself.
Zhan Tu, who had recently reached Foundation Establishment, watched the battle in complete silence, utterly absorbed.
"Well met."
Confronting the Sword Qi that was released in a thought, Fang Xi laughed heartily and pushed both hands forward. Yi Wood Divine Light burst from his fingertips, automatically forming a circle of blue-green Spiritual Shield around his body.
—Yi Wood Divine Light Shield!
This defense shield was much more tenacious than the magic power shields of ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators, and it possessed a vitality that allowed it to rapidly recover, even if temporarily damaged.
Crackle!
The lengthy golden Sword Light struck the Yi Wood Divine Light Shield, sparking off little flecks, but the Sword Light was constantly shattering, unable to harm the shield in the slightest.
"To dare invite me to a duel, you indeed have some skill!"
Li Rujian’s expression was indifferent. The opponent might be at the mid Foundation Establishment stage, but to invite someone like him at the late Foundation Establishment stage to duel meant that he certainly possessed some extraordinary techniques.
At this moment, he flicked his ten fingers continuously, and golden Sword Light about a foot long appeared one after another, moving in all directions, like a golden net enveloping Fang Xi’s Yi Wood Divine Light Shield.
Crack!
Creak!
The Yi Wood Divine Light Shield, entangled by the net of golden Sword Qi, emitted various grating noises but remained as resilient as ever.
"What kind of defensive Spiritual Instrument is this? It must be at least of superior grade, right?"
Yan Changkong couldn’t help but wonder.
"The Metal Sword Spell is indeed formidable... Now, please have a look at my sword technique as well," said Fang Xi.
Inside the Yi Wood Divine Light Shield, he extended his right hand, concentrating Yi Wood Divine Light into a green wooden Flying Sword, about a foot long.
The sword had wood grain patterns along the blade, and its handle was covered in carved decorations.
Although it was formed from Yi Wood Divine Light, the Foundation Establishment cultivators present all mistook it for a true Spiritual Instrument!
"Go!"
Fang Xi flicked his finger, and the Yi Wood Spirit Sword instantly turned into a dark green streak of light. It trailed a bluish-green rainbow over a dozen feet long, like a Flood Dragon, baring its fangs as it lunged at Li Rujian!
But that wasn’t all; on its body, there was even Thunder Light flickering, emitting a sky blue Yi Wood Divine Thunder!
A finger snap of shock thunder!
The Thunder Light, faster than the Sword Light, struck first, hitting Li Rujian!
Crackle!
The blue Thunder Light scattered in all directions, and around Li Rujian’s body a layer of extremely sharp Sword Qi appeared, utterly different from a typical defensive Spiritual Shield. It resembled a porcupine and scattered the Thunder Light!
"Good, you’re worthy of drawing my sword!"
Li Rujian let out a long shout and drew his sword in a reverse grip.
A golden rainbow appeared, the fierce Sword Qi causing the Foundation Establishment cultivators to squint their eyes.
Boom!
Like thunder on a dry day, the golden Sword Light, carrying storm and fury, struck down the follow-up Yi Wood Spirit Sword, turning the bluish-green rainbow to shreds and forcing the Yi Wood Spirit Sword to fly back!
"It’s an exotic treasure—’Thunder Shock Sword’!"
You Yuezi couldn’t help but change color, "I didn’t expect Mr. Li would bring out this treasured Spiritual Sword passed down in the sect..."