A strange, mystical pattern emerged in Song Changsheng's eyes. With it, every key node of the Formless Sword Array became visible there was nowhere for them to hide from his sight.
"So full of flaws… So this is the Formless Sword Array of the Lieyang Sect? How unimpressive."
A faint smile curled on Song Changsheng's lips. With a flick of his sleeve, he summoned the Soul-Slaying Gourd. The gourd spun rapidly in midair, and although countless fierce sword strikes landed on it, none were able to leave the slightest mark.
"Yin and Yang energies aid me in vanquishing my foe!"
Light burst forth from the gourd's mouth, and streams of Yin and Yang energy shot out, dividing into dozens of black-and-white currents. Under Song Changsheng's command, they slithered like serpents toward the key nodes of the sword array.
Crack! Crack!
A sound like shattering glass echoed in Song Changsheng's ears as the distorted space before him began to fracture and then collapsed with a thunderous crash.
The sword formation shattered completely.
Qi Feiyun immediately spat out a mouthful of blood. His aura, like a punctured bellows, rapidly weakened. He hastily swallowed a brown-colored pill, barely managing to stabilize himself.
"You… How could you possibly break my Formless Sword Array?"
Qi Feiyun's face was pale, though his tone still dripped with arrogance.
"Has no one ever told you that I'm a formation master?
Trying to play formations in front of me? You're still a bit too green."
Song Changsheng stood with his hands behind his back, calm and composed.
His words sounded boastful, but everyone watching knew he was simply stating the truth he hadn't even moved a single step during the entire exchange.
"The young patriarch's mastery over formations is truly astonishing. Looks like the Song Clan has found a worthy successor."
Wang Qingquan stroked his beard and smiled warmly at Song Xianyun, though in his mind, he was already weighing which girls in his clan were of suitable age.
If he could tie a marriage bond to Song Changsheng, the alliance between the Song and Wang clans would become even stronger.
"You flatter him, Brother Wang. The young patriarch is still young there's much he has yet to learn,"
Song Xianyun replied modestly, though his heart was blooming with joy.
"Young Patriarch Song truly lives up to the title of the first chosen heir in a hundred years. Remarkable talent indeed.
But let's not forget my Liehuo Sect's master's 'nephew' is no slouch either. The real show is just beginning, friends. Let's enjoy the spectacle."
Li Tiancheng took a casual sip of spirit tea, as if completely unbothered by Qi Feiyun's setback.
Just as Song Lutong was about to deliver a mocking remark, he noticed Song Xianyun's face suddenly darkened.
Looking back toward the arena, he saw that the wind and clouds had begun to stir.
Above Qi Feiyun's head hovered a massive, illusory greatsword, its tip angled downward. Countless streams of sword energy gathered around it, exuding an overwhelming aura of slaughter that made even several Foundation Establishment cultivators tense up.
Qi Feiyun locked his gaze on Song Changsheng, letting out a cold chuckle.
"Did you think the Formless Sword Array was my trump card?
You've underestimated me far too much. Prepare to die!"
As soon as he spoke, the spectral greatsword descended, trailing an immense torrent of sword energy as it slashed down toward Song Changsheng.
"Ah… so this is the famous secret art of the Lieyang Sect Formless Greatsword, a technique meant to be used in tandem with the Formless Sword Array.
How lucky I am to witness both on the same day.
Still, no matter how powerful the secret art, your grasp of it is barely one part in ten thousand.
Impressive in appearance, but hollow within.
Since you've used a formation against me, as a formation master, how could I not return the courtesy?"
Song Changsheng's robes billowed in the wind as he faced the overwhelming might of the falling greatsword. Above his head hovered the Soul-Slaying Gourd, and with a single step forward, the grand formation within his body surged into motion, rumbling faintly from within.
A massive Yin-Yang Tai Chi diagram manifested beneath his feet this was the first time the Yin-Yang Duality Array was fully revealed. From the gourd's mouth, torrents of Yin and Yang energy cascaded like a waterfall, merging seamlessly with the formation and greatly enhancing its power.
"Formation, rise break the enemy!"
Countless streams of Yin and Yang energy surged upward, converging in the sky to form a giant millstone black on top, white on the bottom. As it spun, it drew in vast amounts of spiritual power.
Boom!
The greatsword came crashing down, waves of sword light erupting with blinding brilliance. Many spectators instinctively shielded their eyes, unable to bear its dazzling glare.
Song Xianyun's heart leaped into his throat. Watching the sword descend, he readied himself to intervene at any moment.
Yet Song Changsheng stood fearlessly, guiding the Yin-Yang millstone to meet the falling greatsword head-on.
In an instant, Yin and Yang energy shrouded the heavens, dyeing the world in shades of black and white.
Crack crack crack!
A grating, bone-chilling sound rang out as the greatsword began to fracture its tip, then its edge breaking apart bit by bit upon impact with the spinning millstone. Sword light scattered like shards, and Qi Feiyun's pupils dilated to the extreme.
"Impossible! When did you set up this formation?!"
Qi Feiyun howled in disbelief, his bloodshot eyes filled with desperation, like a gambler who had lost everything.
"There's no such thing as impossible. I told you I'm a formation master.
If you don't understand what that means… well, that's just because your vision is too narrow."
Song Changsheng calmly approached with a floating water sphere in his palm, speaking with the air of a sage.
"You!"
Qi Feiyun roared in fury and began forming another spell with his hands, trying to fight back even now.
"Take a break."
With a flick of his finger, Song Changsheng sent the water sphere flying. It immediately enveloped Qi Feiyun, sealing him completely. No matter how violently he struggled inside, it was useless. He could only glare at Song Changsheng, seething with impotent rage.
Finally, Li Tiancheng's expression changed slightly. Rising to his feet, he cupped his hands to the gathered crowd.
"Fellow Daoists, the young patriarch of the Song Clan has proven superior. My Earthfire Sect concedes."
"Haha, just a friendly sparring match between juniors no need to speak of victory or defeat.
My son, go ahead and release Young Qi."
With Li Tiancheng conceding, Song Xianyun was secretly overjoyed, though he kept a calm smile on his face.
"Naturally."
Song Changsheng nodded lightly. With a single thought, the water sphere dissolved into nothingness, and the unconscious Qi Feiyun collapsed limply to the ground.
Li Tiancheng rushed over to catch him. After confirming he was not in mortal danger, he let out a breath of relief and said loudly:
"Fellow Daoists, the Earthfire Sect will take our leave for now!"
With that, he picked up Qi Feiyun and soared away on his sword.
As the spectacle ended, the various guests came forward one after another to bid farewell to Song Xianyun. Before long, the courtyard was empty.
"Beautifully done!"
Song Lutong slapped Song Changsheng's shoulder and laughed heartily.
"I've been itching to teach that brat a lesson for a long time."
"You performed well."
Song Luhuai nodded approvingly.
"Though he lost utterly, Qi Feiyun's strength is not to be underestimated. He's cultivated the Lieyang Sect's core secret techniques and likely holds high status within their ranks. Looks like the Earthfire Sect has completely defected."
"Hah, wasn't that inevitable? When has the Earthfire Sect ever produced decent folk?"
"Even so, we must stay alert. If we don't prepare, we'll suffer for it."
Song Luzhou's gaze darkened as he spoke, already planning.
As it turned out, Song Luzhou's worries were well-founded. Not long after the Foundation Establishment Ceremony ended, the Earthfire Sect began stirring.
To guard against them, several Song Clan elders were dispatched to defend key resource sites.
And Song Changsheng personally volunteered to take charge of the Chiyun Iron Vein.
For a time, dark currents surged throughout the Lingzhou region…
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