Translator: CinderTL
"No rush," Xu Sanyan said, shaking his head. Exploring the secret realm was the priority; such matters could wait. While he appreciated the sentiment, it wouldn't influence his decisions.
"Let's see what's here," Xu Sanyan said, gesturing to the rising stone table.
Xiang Tan stepped forward, picked up the item, and exclaimed with delight, "Senior Brother, it's a cultivation method!"
Xu Sanyan took it and glanced at it. The method was useless to him; he already possessed the Dao-Seizing Vitality Origin Sutra, a cultivation method perfectly suited to him. There was no need to change.
"Keep it," Xu Sanyan said with a dismissive wave, and strode toward the eighth level.
Xiang Tan's smile widened as she happily stowed the method away. Since joining her Senior Brother, her wealth had more than doubled, and he was remarkably generous, frequently rewarding them with treasures.
The two elders paid no attention. Having reached the Dao Seeking Realm, their cultivation methods were already established; this item held no value for them.
Throughout their journey, Xu Sanyan hadn't needed to lift a finger. The two elders had carried them this far.
But the eighth level was different. This time, he might have to intervene.
"Brother Fang," Xu Sanyan said, clasping his hands in greeting.
"Brother Xu, I didn't expect we'd meet so soon," Fang Qingge replied, closing his folding fan and adopting a serious expression.
"Indeed."
Xu Sanyan had expected to meet them on the ninth or tenth floor, but their encounter came much sooner. This only deepened his curiosity about what the remaining two floors might hold.
"Brother Xu, has your journey been smooth so far?" Fang Qingge asked, placing one hand behind his back and gesturing for Junior Sister Yu to move away. The upcoming battle was beyond her capabilities.
"Reasonably so," Xu Sanyan nodded.
"Oh, right..." Fang Qingge suddenly remembered something. "I encountered a woman earlier, traveling with two members of the Huai Lake Seven Heroes. Judging by her aura, she seemed to be from your sect. Do you recognize her?"
Zuoqiu Hui had assumed that by concealing Qin Manyang's identity, Fang Qingge wouldn't be able to guess who she was. Little did she know, he had recognized her at first glance.
Having cultivated his Sword Intent to such a level, Fang Qingge could perceive a person's unique aura even with his eyes closed, relying solely on his "intent."
Zuoqiu Hui's limited cultivation prevented her from comprehending such abilities, and Fang Qingge, out of consideration for her pride, had refrained from exposing her. By mentioning this now, Fang Qingge hoped Xu Sanyan would spare Junior Sister Yu out of respect for this matter.
Xu Sanyan was slightly surprised that Qin Manyang had crossed paths with them. He nodded in acknowledgment. "I recognize her. She's an elder of the Main Lineage. Is she still alive?"
"Of course she's alive, and doing quite well, in fact."
"Then I thank you," Xu Sanyan said, showing little concern for Qin Manyang's fate. He had only asked out of politeness.
Fang Qingge gestured to the open space beside them. "Allow me to experience Brother Xu's skills today. Please, go ahead."
"Please, you first."
The two had no grudges against each other and no intention of fighting to the death. As for Venerable He Yu's earlier command to "eliminate Fang Qingge and Jingyi by any means necessary," Xu Sanyan dismissed it as a joke.
He wasn't a fool. Why would he waste his energy on such a thankless task? If he actually killed Fang Qingge, the Source Worship Sect would never let it go, and he would ultimately bear the consequences alone.
Venerable He Yu might appear kind and benevolent on the surface, but his heart was as dark as night.
"Brother Xu, be careful!"
Fang Qingge swiftly closed his folding fan, and a clear, jade-green sword materialized in his hand. With a blur of motion, he appeared before Xu Sanyan.
The jade-green sword seemed forged from flowing water, its blade rippling slightly with each swing, captivating the eye.
Wei Xunzhi's gaze sharpened. This was Fang Qingge's true strength. During their earlier battle with the corpse demon, he hadn't even drawn his sword.
Xu Sanyan's robes billowed as a gentle breeze stirred beneath his feet, lifting him into the air. He clasped his hands in a gesture of summoning, and a heavy, imposing halberd materialized in the void, crashing down with overwhelming force.
Fang Qingge dared not underestimate his opponent. His sword wove a swirling pattern, creating a translucent light barrier of water ripples to protect him.
Boom!
The great halberd crashed down with overwhelming force, causing the water barrier to ripple violently. A surging shockwave erupted, sending Junior Sister Yu and Xiang Tan tumbling.
"This..."
Junior Sister Yu sat stunned on the ground, her eyes wide with disbelief. She had never imagined that someone of the younger generation could match her Senior Brother in skill.
Wei Xunzhi wore an equally astonished expression. She could withstand such a powerful clash, but only by exerting her full strength. Compared to the effortless ease with which the two combatants moved, the difference in their skill was glaring.
"Is this what the pinnacle of the younger generation's battles looks like...?"
Xu Sanyan and Fang Qingge had no time to observe their audience. Even though both were holding back, they dared not lose focus.
The light barrier shattered instantly. Fang Qingge tapped his foot lightly, his body shooting upward like a swimming dragon. His longsword transformed into a cyan meteor, hurtling straight toward Xu Sanyan.
The attack was relentless. Xu Sanyan swung his great halberd, its speed tearing through the air, leaving only a fleeting glimpse of dark, gleaming metal.
Clang!
The weapons clashed, Spiritual Power erupted, and their gazes locked. Both could see the burning battle intent in the other's eyes.
"Good!" Xu Sanyan roared with laughter. Only a worthy opponent could ignite the heroic spirit within him.
"Brother Xu, be careful! Next, you'll experience my unique Qingge Sword Intent!" Fang Qingge withdrew, his longsword hovering before him, still vibrating ceaselessly.
"Come on!" Xu Sanyan was eager to witness its power.
Whoosh!
The jade-green sword flipped, its razor-sharp tip now pointing at Xu Sanyan. Streams of azure light radiated from the blade, coalescing in mid-air to form an image.
Xu Sanyan's gaze was involuntarily drawn to the image. At first glance, it resembled a landscape painting, but upon closer inspection, it transformed into a portrait of a beautiful woman applying her makeup.
"How beautiful..." Xiang Tan and the others murmured in awe.
Boom!
The image shattered. The landscape crumbled, the woman's features dissolved, and when they looked again, there was no painting left—only countless strands of razor-sharp Sword Intent!
A painting composed entirely of Sword Intent!
The Qingge Sword Intent!
Wei Xunzhi felt a chill run down her spine. Could someone in the Dao Seeking Realm truly wield such devastating mystical arts?
"Magnificent Qingge Sword Intent!" Xu Sanyan roared in admiration, but his actions were swift and decisive. He gripped the great halberd tightly, Spiritual Power surging around him. The pale azure robes he wore tore apart, strained by his bulging muscles, revealing his bare torso.
His entire body was covered in dark crimson patterns, twin arms stretched from beneath his ribs, and a vertical eye on his forehead opened slightly.
This was the first time Xu Sanyan had manifested his dao body since breaking through the Dao Seeking Realm. Sixty percent of his power resided within this physical form.
In the blink of an eye, boundless Sword Intent surged toward him. Crimson Mist erupted from Xu Sanyan's body, and muffled thuds echoed as the Sword Intent dissipated upon contact with the mist.
However, the Sword Intent was endless, while the Crimson Mist was finite. If this continued, Xu Sanyan would undoubtedly be defeated.
"Hah!"
With a thunderous roar, Xu Sanyan swung his massive halberd, creating an impenetrable wall before him that completely blocked the Sword Intent. He then charged toward Fang Qingge with lightning speed.
The azure Sword Intent cascaded down like a jade-green celestial river, carrying the overwhelming might of the heavens. Xu Sanyan, like a lone boat battling a raging current, defied fate, fighting against the tide with unwavering resolve to shatter this azure galaxy in a single strike.
What a formidable physique! Fang Qingge marveled inwardly. The holy son of the demonic sect truly possessed extraordinary abilities; his physical strength alone was beyond comparison.
Though Fang Qingge also possessed a dao body—a Superior Dao Body at that—it lacked the sheer power of Xu Sanyan's.
He must have encountered some extraordinary fortune!
(End of the Chapter)
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