"Master!"
Behind Master Zhiyang stood a middle-aged Cultivator with a proper Face, firm features, and sharp angles. His sword-like eyebrows added a touch of masculinity.
Master Zhiyang looked at him, saw the Battle Intent in his eyes, and nodded, "Since Fellow Daoist Hehuan has spoken, this old man cannot refuse to give him Face."
"Qi Zheng, you go and meet him."
"Yes, Master."
Qi Zheng's figure flickered, and in an instant, he appeared opposite Zhou Yuan, the two of them about a hundred meters apart.
In Heavenly South, there were currently five people who were said to have a very high chance of reaching the Nascent Soul Stage within the next fifty years.
Qi Zheng was at the forefront among them!
He Cultivated the Tai Zhen Sect's secret Cultivation Technique, the «Nine True Profound Arts», which was extremely difficult to Cultivate, but once successfully Cultivated, it provided some assistance in breaking through Bottlenecks and a slight boost when breaking through to the Nascent Soul Stage.
Besides this effect, this Cultivation Technique also contained many Divine Abilities with immense power.
This was why Qi Zheng had achieved his renown in Heavenly South.
Qi Zheng carefully scrutinized Zhou Yuan, and Zhou Yuan did the same.
For experts of their caliber, victory could be decided in an instant, and even the slightest mistake could tip the scales of victory.
Therefore, both were extremely cautious.
Zhou Yuan was a True Disciple of the Taiyi Sect, while Qi Zheng received the full cultivation of Master Zhiyang. The Tai Zhen Sect was a branch of the True Origin Sect, one of the three great Dao Sects of the Great Jin.
After the Ancient Devil rebellion was suppressed in ancient times, they were sent to Heavenly South to guard the source of Devilish Qi. Over time, the two had long lost contact.
However, some of the Tai Zhen Sect's secret Cultivation Techniques were identical to those of the True Origin Sect.
The «Nine True Profound Arts» was one of them, and even in the True Origin Sect, it was considered a top-tier Legacy.
The two were in the same Realm, their Cultivation Techniques were of similar level, and their Magic Power was almost identical. This battle could be said to be a truly evenly matched contest.
A moment later, a large cloud drifted above their heads, slightly dimming the light around them.
Both seized this moment and simultaneously launched an attack.
"Innate One Qi Great Grasping Hand!"
"Nine True Fist!"
Two massive energy fluctuations collided in mid-air, making the sky feel as if it was collapsing and the space subtly vibrating.
Their Divine Abilities were extremely solid and had not dissipated even after colliding for a moment.
Thump thump thump ~
Seeing that their Divine Abilities were evenly matched, both simultaneously deployed their Lifebound Treasures.
One was the Nine True Seal, the other was the Tai Xuan Bell, both powerful Magic Treasures recorded in their respective Cultivation Techniques.
The great seal and the bronze bell collided.
The clangorous sounds were incessant.
The chime of the Tai Xuan Bell possessed a special power that could interfere with the circulation of Magic Power. Many Cultivators below the late stage Core Formation present felt their Magic Power stagnate.
Those in lower Realms even found the sound incredibly sharp and ear-piercing, causing them splitting headaches.
The Nascent Soul Cultivators from the various great Sects of Heavenly South frowned when they saw their Disciples affected, then set up a transparent light screen to block the invasion of the bell's sound.
Time passed bit by bit, and Zhou Yuan and Qi Zheng had been fighting for about an incense stick's worth of time.
But as of yet, there was no sign of a victor.
Master Zhiyang looked slightly to the side. He knew his Disciple's strength but didn't expect his opponent to be so troublesome.
He looked at Jin Yuan, "Fellow Daoist Jin, is this Zhou Yuan perhaps your Disciple?"
Jin Yuan smiled faintly and said, "Do you think I, a demon Cultivator, would be interested in cultivating a human immortal Cultivator?"
"However, you have reminded me. Perhaps I can indeed take one in the future and try to Cultivate him."
As for Li Feiyu, he was not within Master Zhiyang's consideration. After all, no matter how one looked at it, Zhou Yuan was quite a bit older than Li Feiyu; his bone age was almost four hundred years.
"Truly remarkable. I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Li to be able to recruit someone of such strength. If he is given focused cultivation, perhaps he has some hope of advancing to the Nascent Soul Stage."
Master Zhiyang said this because Zhou Yuan was already quite old.
His Disciple, Qi Zheng, was not yet three hundred years old, almost a hundred years younger than Zhou Yuan. The difference in their potential was clear.
Of course, this was Master Zhiyang's opinion.
Li Feiyu watched the two fighting and roughly understood some of Zhou Yuan's thoughts. He wanted to defeat his opponent on his own.
Although he was no longer in the Prodigy category, his former Prodigy arrogance remained.
This was a common flaw among Geniuses: they wouldn't shed tears until they saw the coffin, always believing they were not inferior to others!
With a slight sigh, Li Feiyu let him be.
As long as he could win, it was fine.
By this point in the battle, Li Feiyu had a rough idea of both sides' strengths and knew who would win.
Indeed, two quarters of an hour later, Zhou Yuan narrowly won by a minuscule margin.
The two were not far apart in strength; the only difference was their mentality.
Zhou Yuan fought with a do-or-die attitude, while Qi Zheng only wanted to win!
He couldn't possibly severely injure himself for a senseless battle and delay his path to the Nascent Soul Stage; that would be too unwise.
Seeing Qi Zheng a little disappointed, Master Zhiyang said, "It's fine. Your strengths are similar. The key is to see who can first step into the Nascent Soul Stage in the future."
"With his fighting style, he will sooner or later suffer a great loss because of it."
Qi Zheng lost. Fellow Daoist Hehuan, though displeased, said nothing more. If he lost, most others would likely fare the same.
High-level Cultivators generally wouldn't fight so desperately unless there was a deep-seated enmity.
In their view, winning a single battle was nothing; as long as they could survive, they had a chance to continue advancing towards higher Realms.
What if one was invincible in Qi Condensation, invincible in Foundation Establishment, and invincible in Core Formation?!
Strength, after all, was not as appealing as Realm!
Without Cultivating to a certain Realm, a Cultivator's Lifespan was ultimately limited, and in the end, it would all be for naught!
A Prodigy for a lifetime, but merely a traveler on the Yellow Springs, a flower in Reincarnation!
"Not bad!" Li Feiyu praised softly.
Zhou Yuan nodded, then retreated to slowly recuperate.
Li Feiyu smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Hehuan, the Core Formation Stage competition is over. How about a halftime break, so you can discuss how to arrange the Nascent Soul Stage?"
"Hmph, just one match. We only need to win one more to at most tie. But if you want to win, you must win all three remaining matches."
"Then we'll just win them!"
Li Feiyu said nonchalantly, his demeanor suggesting he was confident and had everything under control.
In the end, everyone rested for half an hour.
For the Early Stage Nascent Soul, the four major forces discussed for a while and finally sent out Immortal Master Fireworm of the Spirit Control Sect.
In the Nascent Soul Realm, anyone who could reach the peak of a minor Realm had excellent potential and hoped to enter the next Realm, but among the Nascent Soul present, there was not a single one.
Most Cultivators who entered the Nascent Soul Stage remained in the Early Stage Nascent Soul, making little progress.
As for Immortal Master Fireworm, his own strength had indeed not reached the peak Realm, but he possessed a formidable insect-controlling technique, making him extremely difficult to deal with.
Combined with his Spirit Beasts, his strength was enough to make even peak Early Stage Nascent Soul Cultivators feel tricky, and even some Middle Stage Nascent Soul Cultivators did not want to fight him.
This was solely because his Spirit Beasts were too troublesome, a special type of Spirit Beast called True Fire Worms.
Individually, these Spirit Beasts were nothing, but once their numbers reached tens of thousands, they could collectively unleash a powerful poison-attributed True Fire, strong enough to severely injure Nascent Soul Cultivators.
Furthermore, their carapaces were incredibly hard. Under Immortal Master Fireworm's secret technique, they could transform into various weapons and armor, comparable to several top-tier Magic Treasures.
Immortal Master Fireworm cherished these Spirit Beasts immensely, spending most of his time cultivating them, to the extent that he delayed his own Realm progression.
Dongmen Tu said, "Fireworm, this battle is yours!"
"As long as you win, all resources needed for any Spirit Beasts damaged in this battle will be gathered for you by the other forces."
"Understood, Grand Elder."
Immortal Master Fireworm wore a fiery red hooded cloak, his Face withered and somewhat pale.
He looked towards Li Feiyu's side. The Early Stage Nascent Soul Cultivators there were Tianwuzi and Elder Liu. He was confident he could defeat either of them.
Immortal Master Fireworm flew forward, his demeanor utterly composed.
Fellow Daoist Hehuan's lips curled into a slight smile, and he said, "Where are your people? Aren't you sending them out yet?"
"If you're afraid, just concede!"
Li Feiyu gave a disdainful smile.
Tianwuzi and Elder Liu's hearts stirred, and they both stepped forward one position, then looked at each other with surprised expressions.
Their eyes seemed to say, I am clearly stronger than you, this battle must be fought by me!
Suddenly, Li Feiyu's feet found no purchase; Crimson Crow had already disappeared. However, his figure remained perfectly stable, standing in the Void as if on solid ground.
Seeing Crimson Crow appear on the field, the Demonic Path and other forces were slightly startled.
Tianwuzi and Elder Liu's expressions immediately turned awkward.
So it wasn't me!
Fellow Daoist Hehuan said, "You actually sent a Spirit Beast to fight?"
"What, is it not allowed? The rules didn't say it wasn't, as long as it's the same Realm."
"An Ancient Spirit Beast, eh? Then let me have a go!"
Immortal Master Fireworm said.
The Spirit Control Sect was the most familiar with dealing with Spirit Beasts and Spirit Beasts. However, Ancient Spirit Beasts were extremely powerful. Although Immortal Master Fireworm had some confidence, his Face was extremely solemn, and he was on high alert.
Li Feiyu's lips curled. For the remaining matches, to display his strength, he had no intention of dragging them out.
Therefore, he had given Crimson Crow a drop of thousand-year longevity liquid in advance.
Even if he was at the peak of the Middle Stage Nascent Soul, Crimson Crow had a good chance of winning.
After all, Crimson Crow itself could already contend with an ordinary Middle Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator.
Immortal Master Fireworm unhesitatingly slapped his Spirit Beast bag, and swarms of dark red insects flew out. In the blink of an eye, his surroundings were densely packed with True Fire Worms, numbering in the tens of thousands.
Each cloud of insects at this moment burned with intertwining dark green and vermilion flames.
Tianwuzi and Elder Liu observed intently, their hearts filled with shock.
The people from Heavenly South had many tricks up their sleeves and extraordinary Divine Abilities. Even if they went up, they wouldn't have much confidence.
Could a Spirit Beast that had just entered the Transformation Stage truly win?!
They felt deeply doubtful.
"Trash bugs, let Grandpa Crimson Crow teach you how to be a person!"
Li Feiyu also had many Spirit Beasts, but they had all been bullied by him since they were young, so he disdained these swarming True Fire Worms.
Crimson Crow suddenly soared into the sky, radiating billions of dazzling rays of light, like a Blazing Sun rising.
Within the Blazing Sun, Crimson Crow's aura continuously climbed. First, it burned five hundred years of Lifespan, and the rest was embezzled by him.
Then, it revealed its three legs, and its aura surged again.
The blazing Blazing Sun True Fire incinerated the Void, distorting space, almost causing the surrounding space to burn and collapse.
Whether it was the Demonic Path, the Righteous Path, or the Tiandao Alliance, the Nine Nations Alliance, their Nascent Soul Cultivators all changed their expressions dramatically.
Even the three Great Cultivators were incredibly shocked.
The Blazing Sun descended, crushing the surrounding space, its violent power irresistible.
Immortal Master Fireworm's Face was filled with horror, his body trembling uncontrollably, and he immediately shouted loudly, "I concede!"
But Crimson Crow seemed not to hear; how could an attack that had been unleashed be retracted!
Dongmen Tu's figure flickered and he rushed out, arriving beside Immortal Master Fireworm. The two joined forces to jointly resist this Blazing Sun.
Large numbers of True Fire Worms were burned to death by the Sun True Fire.
However, with their combined efforts, they ultimately blocked this attack, though it seemed they suffered some minor injuries.
Crimson Crow spread its wings and hovered above them, high and mighty, arrogant and peerless, like a True Spirit Golden Crow!
Li Feiyu said, "Fellow Daoist Dongmen Tu made a move, so it seems you've conceded. But you were timely; otherwise, I think Immortal Master Fireworm of your Sect would have been severely injured if not dead!"
Dongmen Tu's Face was grim, "Ancient Spirit Beasts are indeed powerful!"
He snorted coldly and returned to his team.
Everyone knew Li Feiyu was unfathomable, and now they had thoroughly experienced it.
Just a Spirit Beast possessed such terrifying strength, actually comparable to a peak Middle Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator.
Dragon Han and Feng Bing, the couple from the Tiandao Alliance, both had extremely solemn expressions.
Because in the next match, the Middle Stage Nascent Soul Realm competition, one of them would undoubtedly fight.
In all of Heavenly South, among those in the Middle Stage Nascent Soul who could defeat the two of them, there was only Old Freak Tianhen.
"Feng Bing, I'll go for the next round."
"Husband, be careful. If it's truly impossible, just concede. There's no need to injure yourself!"
Dragon Han nodded, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing!"
Then, Li Feiyu floated forward, landing on Crimson Crow's back, a slight smile on his Face, looking down at everyone.
"Next round, who's coming?"
Seeing this, everyone glared angrily, cursing Li Feiyu for being despicable!
Li Feiyu chuckled, "Crimson Crow is my Spirit Beast to begin with, and he is indeed in the Early Stage of Transformation. If the ones you send out are so easily defeated, can you blame me?"
"Fellow Daoist Hehuan, Master Zhiyang, Fellow Daoist Wei, do you say it's not allowed for me to fight with my Spirit Beast?"
Fellow Daoist Hehuan's brows furrowed. His ability to subdue a Spirit Beast was his skill, and it naturally counted as part of his Battle Intent.
Otherwise, in formal competitions, most of the Spirit Control Sect's members would probably see their strength drop by a notch!
It seemed this battle was also going to be a loss!
Fellow Daoist Hehuan felt helpless in his heart, but that Spirit Beast, he feared, could only be resisted by his Junior Brother Old Devil Yunlu and the two Alliance Leaders of the Tiandao Alliance.
Plus an unfathomable Li Feiyu.
By this point, he believed Jin Yuan's earlier statement that Li Feiyu's strength was even above his own to some extent.
He had not made a move, and Fellow Daoist Hehuan and the other Great Cultivators also could not discern Li Feiyu's strength.
"I am Dragon Han, Alliance Leader of the Tiandao Alliance. Fellow Daoist Li, greetings."
Li Feiyu nodded slightly.
How others treated him, he would treat them the same!
"Go, Crimson Crow!"
Crimson Crow flew towards Dragon Han. This time, he didn't burst out all at once. Although that power was terrifying, continuous use would cause him some damage.
Fortunately, the amplification power had not receded. Facing a formidable enemy like Dragon Han, Crimson Crow could still fight back and forth.
Crimson Crow's greatest advantage was speed, but to end the battle quickly, he chose a strong offense.
Li Feiyu watched from high in the sky, and after a moment, finally made his move.
He opened his palm and with a swipe, five arm-thick Azure Wood True Lightning bolts, carrying terrifying lightning power, attacked Dragon Han from four directions.
Lightning-elemental Divine Ability attacks were always incredibly fast, and ordinary people could not avoid them.
Coupled with Crimson Crow's entanglement, Dragon Han could only choose to take the blow head-on.
Dragon Han's brows furrowed slightly. Although these five Azure Wood True Lightning bolts were impressive, they were only of standard Middle Stage Nascent Soul power, at most a little stronger than usual.
With his defensive Divine Ability, he blocked all of them. However, Crimson Crow's third leg attack arrived instantly, stomping on Dragon Han's defensive Divine Ability light shield.
With a crack, the light shield shattered in an instant, turning into sparkling light points.
Then the attack landed on Dragon Han's chest, and the sharp hooked claws pierced through his defensive inner armor, after which he was sent hurtling towards the ground like a cannonball.
Li Feiyu smiled faintly, and another five Azure Wood True Lightning bolts descended from the sky. This time, they landed squarely on him, causing him to violently spit blood again.
Feng Bing couldn't bear to watch any longer and immediately said, "I concede on behalf of my husband!"