The Square Box obtained its name from its shape. It was impregnable like a fortress, and when it was activated, it would transform into a cage so huge that it seemed capable of caging the entire world. Its range was so wide that it would be difficult for one to escape. Among binding weapons, it was rather formidable.
Even Zhu Xuan did not have complete mastery over the Square Box. The box was the Ninth Temple’s prized possession and was also the temple’s only desolate-grade weapon.
When Zhu Xuan threw the Square Box out, it shot toward and bore down on Yu Zhenghai like a huge mountain.
Yu Zhenghai easily pushed Ji Fengxing aside. After all, Ji Fengxing was only in the Brahman Eight Meridians realm, and it would not be good if he was caught in the middle of a battle between those in the Nascent Divinity realm.
As Ji Fengxing was sent flying back, he cried out, “Trust me, you should leave!”
How could Yu Zhenghai heed Ji Fengxing’s suggestion of fleeing? He had always been someone who looked down on elites. Therefore, he acted as though he did not hear Ji Fengxing’s words as focused his attention on the Square Box.
“Stand back!” Yu Zhenghai leaped. He extended his right arm, and the Jasper Saber flew up swiftly into his hand.
The Jasper Saber was wrapped in energy as it flew up to meet its target. Dozens of energy sabers arranged themselves into the shape of a long dragon and struck the Square Box.
Zhu Xuan’s eyes widened. He frowned as he said, “I knew it! Golden energy!”
Upon seeing this, Yu Shangrong looked up slightly. His Longevity Sword vibrated on his back, as though nudging him to take action.
Meanwhile, since Ji Fengxing could not dissuade Yu Zhenghai, he landed next to Yu Shangrong and tried to dissuade Yu Shangrong instead. He pleaded in a low voice, “Please leave! We can’t afford to cross the Ninth Temple.”
“Why not?”
“Ninth Temple rarely meddles in the affairs of the world, but it’s still a major sect on par with the Sky Martial Court and the Flying Star House. A century ago, the Ninth Temple suddenly took an interest in foreign worlds and sent its men into the Black Water Mystic Cave to reach the other side. However, the Sky Martial Court unexpectedly shut the cave and prohibited anyone from going in or out. Over the years, they started to have more and more conflicts. Ever since then, they have had a rocky relationship,” Ji Fengxing said in a slightly worried tone.
Meanwhile, with a flurry of movements, Yu Zhenghai appeared above the Square Box and brought his saber down with both hands.
With this, the desolate-grade Jasper Saber was pitted against the desolate-grade Square Box.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
The golden energy and the red energy collided, and the aftershock rippled into the surroundings.
The disciples from the Thousand Willow Monastery were sent flying by the backlash.
All the spectators had to activate their energies to block the aftershock.
Yu Shangrong glanced at Zhu Xuan.
At this moment, Zhu Xuan was observing Yu Zhenghai calmly as he controlled the Square Box. Indeed, his strength and cultivation base was something to contend with. He was not any weaker than the Flying Star House’s Liang Zidao.
“Does this mean that the Thousand Willow Monastery has offended everyone?” Yu Shangrong asked as he calmly watched the battle in the air.
Ji Fengxing said with a bitter expression, “I know that you have a profound cultivation base, but the Ninth Temple is different from the Flying Star House! The Ninth Temple never openly makes their move. The forces that stood against it have never ended well… The Ninth Temple is extremely skilled in assassination. 50 years ago, an elite from the Flying Star House who had just entered the Nine-leaf Stage was heavily injured by the Ninth Temple. Even the Blood Sun Temple’s monk, Fa Kong, who’s a rare elite who has mastered the red lotus karmic fire would have to restrain himself in front of the Ninth Temple.” As he said this, he prepared to push Yu Shangrong away. He was clearly incredibly anxious.
Yu Shangrong merely patted Ji Fengxing’s shoulder and said, “There’s no need to be nervous. Nobody’s cultivation path is smooth and without obstacles. Only by overcoming hardships can we rise higher.”
“…”
The Thousand Willow Monastery’s Master, Xia Changqiu, continued watching the battle between Yu Zhenghai and Zhu Xuan. The area affected by the aftershocks grew wider as well. “Stand back!”
With this order, the disciples retreated further.
Zhu Xuan frowned deeply as he looked at Yu Zhenghai moving swiftly in front of him.
Yu Zhenghai would launch energy sabers from the Jasper Saber every now and then, parrying the incoming blasts of red energy from the Square Box.
“It’s no wonder Kong Lu was defeated. He’s no ordinary Eight-leaf cultivator.” Based on their brief exchange, Zhu Xuan had a vague idea of Yu Zhenghai’s true strength. He no longer wasted any time and made several hand gestures.
At this moment, Xia Changqiu called out loudly, “Wait, Brother Zhu!”
Bam!
Zhu Xuan slowed down.
The Square Box was pushed back before it came to stop, still spinning.
Yu Zhenghai flew back and looked at Zhu Xuan.
Meanwhile, Zhu Xuan said to Xia Changqiu, “Xia Changqiu, you colluded with these foreign tribesmen, and I have yet to hold you accountable for that yet. And yet, you’re trying to stop me now?”
Xia Changqiu shook his head and said, “This must be a misunderstanding. If he has offended you, I’m willing to apologize to you on his behalf, Brother Zhu.”
“No need.” Then, Zhu Xuan looked at Yu Zhenghai and said, “I want to take him away. Who dares to stop me?”
Yu Zhenghai who was holding the Jasper Saber replied, “You’ll have to see if you’re capable of that first.” With a flurry of movements, his energy sabers shot out again, fiercer than before.
“Avatar!” Zhu Xuan summoned his avatar. The Eight-and-a-half-leaf red lotus under the avatar bloomed, emitting Primal Qi. The 140-foot avatar was a testament to his cultivation base.
The Thousand Willow Monastery disciples exclaimed in shock upon seeing this. This was the closest they had gotten to the Nine-leaf stage.
Yu Zhenghai did not expect Zhu Xuan’s cultivation base to be more profound than Liang Zidao. The key was that Zhu Xuan had the Square Box, a weapon that was almost at the peak of the desolate grade.
Yu Zhenghai focused on attacking. He wielded his saber with both hands, from which his energy burst forth. The huge energy saber slashed at the Square Box again.
At this moment, the Square Box was already several meters in size.
Bam!
The energy saber struck the Square Box. The box was sent spinning back.
Zhu Xuan snorted and lunged forward with his red lotus avatar.
At this moment, Yu Zhenghai summoned his avatar as well.
The two avatars faced each other.
The 100-foot avatar stood before the 140-foot avatar as the red energy and golden energy collided.
Boom!
A halo of energy rippled out vertically.
“Take cover!”
Ji Fengxing and Wuwu moved away from the gazebo before the vertical energy halo struck the gazebo. With a crack, the gazebo was sliced in half by the energy.
Yu Shangrong was the only one who did not move. An energizer barrier protected him from the aftershock of the collision.
Yu Zhenghai wielded his saber with his avatar in tow and advanced.
Zhu Xuan would never allow a desolate-grade weapon to touch his avatar so he withdrew his 140-foot avatar. At this moment, the Square Box emerged from behind him; its size larger than before.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
At this moment, the Square Box blocked several energy sabers. It created some distance between the two opponents as it continued to spin in position as it increased in size.
Zhu Xuan and Yu Zhenghai both launched their attacks again. One used palm seals while the other used energy sabers.
Their attacks collided above the Square Box. The impact of the collision pushed both of them back.
Xia Changqiu led the others and went after the two opponents.
Yu Shangrong took flight as well.
Meanwhile, Ji Fengxing and Wuwu tried their best to keep up with the others.
After flying past a mountain, they found the opponents battling in a valley.
“I didn’t expect our friend to be able to hold out for so long against Zhu Xuan.” Xia Changqiu was greatly shocked.
Tian Buji nodded. “However, Zhu Xuan has yet to strike with all his might. Moreover, the Square Box isn’t an easy weapon to deal with.”
Similarly, Zhu Xuan did not expect an Eight-leaf cultivator was capable of holding up against the Square Box as well. He raised a palm.
The Square Box hovered in the air and moved swiftly. Like a red square lantern, it shot toward the space above Yu Zhenghai.
Zhu Xuan made several hand signs again.
“Impurities scattered in the natural world; unfathomable mysteries in the deep cave. Mighty gods of the eight directions, grant me the power to become one with nature. Qianluo, Dana, Donggang, Taixuan.”
The Square Box instantly increased its size to that of a large mountain and bore down on Yu Zhenghai.
Yu Zhenghai glanced at the box as he summoned his avatar and unleashed his grand technique.
However, the Square Box flew out, unimpeded, toward the space above Yu Zhenghai.
Zhu Xuan pushed both palms out. With his 140-foot avatar, he controlled the Square Box.
Yu Zhenghai tossed his Jasper Saber up. He chose an unexpected method: he chose to advance instead of retreat. He attacked the bottom of the Square Box.
Yu Zhenghai pushed a palm out,
The Great Dark Heaven Palm.
Bam!
The Square Box was struck by the huge palm strike and was pushed up.
Yu Zhenghai launched another palm strike.
Bam!
Meanwhile, the Jasper kept spinning around the palm seal as energy sabers materialized around the golden avatar.
Zhu Xuan frowned. “This child’s strength exceeds my expectations! Kong Lu, you did not lose in vain. However, if I can’t take him down, I would tarnish the Ninth Temple’s reputation.”
The red lotus flew up.
With a burst of movement, Zhu Xuan appeared above the Square Box with his red lotus avatar.
Boom!
With his avatar, Zhu Xuan stood on top of the Square Box before it dropped down.
Meanwhile, Yu Shangrong looked up. A cold breeze caused his robes to flutter in the air.
Zing!
The Longevity Sword flew out of its scabbard.
Yu Shangrong raised his right hand, and his Longevity Sword flew into his hand. He remained silent as he continued to look at the red lotus avatar above the Square Box. In the next second, he disappeared into thin air.
