Chapter 299 Have Another Cup of Wine
Pan Litian was invigorated. Although he did not know how Gong Yuandu managed to do that, he wished to receive the blows from this sword skill. He raised his right arm slowly. A Taiji radiant seal that was slightly larger than his palm appeared.
Zhou Jifeng, Pan Zhong, and the female cultivators’ eyes widened. This was their first time seeing Elder Pan making a move. It was also their first time witnessing this legendary old man conjuring up his Primal Qi. An old beggar who had once lost his cultivation base after having it destroyed. At last, he bore some semblance of his former self. However, what kind of Daoist cultivation method was that Taiji seal on his palm?
Under his mask, an expression of approval could be seen on Leng Luo’s face.
Pan Litian pushed his palm forward, and an energy blade emerged from the Taiji seal. He was enhancing his energy blade with the seal!
At the same time, several energy blades appeared in the area where Gong Yuandu’s coffin stood. Usually, a Mystic Enlightening realm cultivator could only manage two energy blades, at most. However, under the enhancement of the mini Formation underneath the coffin, he was supplied with limitless Primal Qi.
Energy blades from both sides shot through the air. The others instinctively backed away. This no longer looked like a battle between cultivators in the Mystic Enlightening realm. No matter how they looked at it, this seemed more like a battle between cultivators in the Brahman Sea realm!
Bam! Bam! Bam!
The energy blades collided.
Pan Litian smiled and took a step forward. He slammed his wizened and big hand on the ground.
Boom!
The limestone floor cracked.
The Formation shattered!
“Great!” Pan Zhong clapped his hands.
Indeed, as the saying went, ‘The older, the wiser!’
Nobody said that they were only supposed to use energy blades. It was perfectly reasonable for a Mystic Enlightening realm cultivator to crack the floor. Even a Body Tempering cultivator could do that.
Just when everyone thought that Pan Litian was about to emerge victorious, the shattered Formation veins condensed into energy, gathered, and shot toward Pan Litian’s Taiji seal.
Bam!
The Taiji seal shattered.
No more nor less, Gong Yuandu had two remaining energy blades that hovered around his coffin.
“Interesting.” Leng Luo applauded. The others were puzzled by this.
‘Why aren’t they continuing?’
‘It’s not over, is it?’
Pan Litian had ample time to cast his next attack. What good would Gong Yuandu’s two energy blades do? While the others were still puzzled, Pan Litian cupped his fists and said, “I concede defeat.” Hua Wudao nodded and took up the role to explain again. “The limit of the Mystic Enlightening realm has been reached.”
When the others heard this, realization dawned on them. They had overlooked a problem… Hua Wudao was right. A Mystic Enlightening realm cultivator could only manage a Daoist seal and two energy blades at most… When Gong Yuandu’s Formation seal was shattered, two of his energy blades remained. Hence, he had the upper hand.
Pan Litian smiled and said, “Your methods have widened my horizons.” After saying that, he retreated.
If old seniors who were rich in experiences such as Leng Luo and Pan Litian could not best Gong Yuandu in a sword fight, it was impossible for the others to do so. The experience of the younger cultivators could not be made up with talent alone, after all.
Hua Wudao cupped his fists. “I’ll pass… I’m only good at defense. Moreover, my Six Compatible Seal requires a cultivation base in the Nascent Divinity Tribulation realm to unleash its special effects. In terms of swordplay, I’m as good as an idiot.” With a wave of his hands, he retreated as well.
None of the three old generals could best Gong Yuandu. A slightly awkward atmosphere hung in the air.
Gong Yuandu chuckled and said, “I’ve painstakingly cultivated the sword in the Mausoleum of Swords for 100 years. It’s not surprising for me to win against you lot…”
Duanmu Sheng waved his Overlord Spear and said with a snort, “All you got is that mouth of yours. That wasn’t a real competition of cultivation bases. While you’re on the battlefield, who would care if you’re being fair or not?” His words had merits. In a real battle, was there anyone who would suppress their cultivation base and not fight with all their might?
Bam!
The Overlord Spear struck the limestone floor. Duanmu Sheng’s Primal Qi spread into his surroundings in waves.
The others retreated.
Even Pan Litian and Leng Luo did not have as much energy as Duanmu Sheng did.
Duanmu Sheng and the black coffin faced off against each other while the others watched from a distance away.
After a moment of silence, Gong Yuandu said, “If I were to fight you with my full strength, you’ll surely die… Naturally, I won’t be able to fight after that.”
The coffin did not move. It seemed to be giving Duanmu Sheng time to think.
‘Do you dare?’ The others from the Evil Sky Pavilion knew what Duanmu Sheng’s temper was like. They shook their heads and sighed inwardly.
Duanmu Sheng raised a hand. Under his control, the Overlord Spear left the ground and flew into his grip. A domineering energy wrapped around the Overlord Spear. “Let’s give it a try then…”
Whizz!
III
A 30-feet avatar materialized behind Duanmu Sheng. On the Golden Lotus under its feet, two blades of leaves were spinning slowly.
The others did not expect Duanmu Sheng to act this boldly… They did not expect him to be this fearless as well.
The atmosphere was tense as though the slightest spark would set off a fire.
“Duanmu Sheng, listen to me, don’t act rashly,” Hua Wudao advised.
After all, Gong Yuandu was the genius sword cultivator of the northern capital. He was already giving them a chance by setting the rule of sparring with swords in the Mystic Enlightening realm. Why did Duanmu Sheng have to fight with his life on the line? It was not worth it!
“There’s no need to persuade me, Elder Hua… Master’s not here. If I’m not going to fight, who will?”
Without Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong in the Evil Sky Pavilion, and in the absence of their master, Duanmu Sheng was, naturally, the one with the most senior position. Usually, Pan Litian and Leng Luo would have the right to stand in front of him. However, their cultivation bases were far from being recovered. Hence, they could do nothing but watch.
“Good… Very good,” Gong Yuandu said loudly, “I’ve underestimated Brother Ji. To think that he has such a disciple… In that case, I’ll show you what the real path of the sword looks like.” The Primal Qi around the coffin began to ripple intensely. It was as different as heaven and earth compared to before. However, just as the coffin levitated slightly, a deep voice rang from the direction of the east pavilion. “Stand back.”
Duanmu Sheng shuddered before he kneeled on one knee. “Master!”
Leng Luo, Pan Litian, and Hua Wudao cast their gaze into the distance.
Apart from those three of them, the others fell to their knees as they greeted Lu Zhou. “Pavilion Master.”
Above the east pavilion, Lu Zhou walked on air as though he was as light as a feather as he made his way toward them.
Little Yuan’er stepped forward and said excitedly, “Master, you’re finally here. The lunatic from the Mausoleum of Swords came looking for trouble!”
Lu Zhou landed. He walked toward them with his hands on his back.
Leng Luo and the others cupped their fists slightly at Lu Zhou.
Lu Zhou’s gaze fell on the coffin. He studied it before he finally said, “Prepare some wine.”
Gong Yuandu’s laughter rang from within the coffin. His voice was slightly trembling when he spoke. No one knew if he was agitated or excited. “You’re the only one who understands me, Brother Ji.”
The female cultivators hurried to the north pavilion to fetch the century-old wine. Then, they laid out a table and a few chairs before the great hall.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and said, “You’re a senior, and yet, you’re bullying your juniors… I feel ashamed of you.”
The coffin landed slowly.
The others remained silent. Earlier, Gong Yuandu had been insufferably arrogant. Now, he seemed to have wilted a little. Perhaps, their master was the only person who could rein Gong Yuandu in.
“Brother Ji, you’re not someone who would break your promise.”
Lu Zhou’s expression remained unchanged. In truth, he did not know why his cultivation had taken so long this time around. The wonderful thing was he only felt a few days had passed. Only when he opened his eyes did he discover that an entire month had passed.
Lu Zhou did not dwell on the matter and waved his hand. With a flick of his sleeve, a wine jar flew onto the table.
“Are you planning on hiding in the coffin forever?”
The aroma of the wine wafted out.
Pan Litian felt a nearly irrepressible urge to drink. He laughed and said, “To think you’re a kindred spirit! If I’d known this earlier, I should’ve had a drinking contest with you instead of swords!”
