Chapter 10

At this, Di Jun looked proud. The Golden Crow clan's mastery of Solar True Fire was indeed unmatched in the world.

"Not good!"

"Little Ten is in danger."

Eastern Emperor Tai Yi suddenly spoke. Tongtian and Di Jun immediately fell silent and focused intently on the mirror.

Tai Cang unleashed Shangqing Sword Qi to seal off all of Lu Ya's escape routes, then flashed forward with his sword aimed straight at Lu Ya.

The Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique was astonishingly fast.

Tai Cang understood that if the stalemate continued, even victory would cost him too much mana.

Once his mana was exhausted, how would he deal with the other nine Golden Crows?

There was only one option now: close-quarters combat.

Only by limiting Lu Ya's chances to use the Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique could he stand a chance of winning.

Perfect!

Lu Ya did not notice the danger at all. Instead, he laughed when he saw Tai Cang attack. Solar True Fire ignited around him, transforming into a Three-legged Golden Crow.

He did not reveal his true form. Instead, he controlled the flaming Golden Crow and sent it pouncing toward Tai Cang.

The outcome had already been decided.

Tenth Brother had been careless.

Inside the Sun Palace, Di Jun, Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, and the other Demon Race experts all shook their heads.

With their insight, they could naturally see the gap between Lu Ya and Tai Cang. If Lu Ya had kept his distance and relied on the Golden Crow Transformation Rainbow Technique to wear Tai Cang down, he might still have had a slim chance.

But now that he had rashly entered close combat, he stood no chance even if their cultivation realms were equal.

Just what I wanted!

Tai Cang was somewhat surprised. He had not expected Lu Ya to dare confront him head-on.

As the flaming Golden Crow charged at him, a sharp glint flashed in Tai Cang's eyes. His Wooden Sword trembled lightly as the Shangqing Sword Art—Law Breaking Style suddenly activated.

Buzz—

Sword Qi shot into the heavens. A phantom giant sword condensed around Tai Cang and crashed violently into the flaming Golden Crow.

In an instant, the two figures passed each other.

Crack—

Amid the sound of shattering, the flaming Golden Crow collapsed. A bloody line appeared on Lu Ya's neck, narrowly missing something fatal.

Tai Cang sheathed his sword and stood still as the Sword Qi around him gradually dispersed. He secretly let out a breath of relief.

He had nearly taken Lu Ya's life just now. Had he not shifted his Sword Qi at the last moment, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

What terrifying Sword Qi!

Tai Cang, that move of yours was incredible.

Lu Ya's delighted voice came from behind him, leaving Tai Cang momentarily stunned.

This fellow did not even realize that his life had just been hanging by a thread?

When Tai Cang turned around, Lu Ya was not angry at all. Instead, his face was filled with excitement. The other nine Golden Crow Princes nearby were also eager to try, completely unaware of the danger just now.

A heaven-sent opportunity.

These young princes truly knew nothing of the dangers of the world.

Tai Cang secretly shook his head and decided that today, he would teach these pampered young masters a lesson.

With a flick of his wrist, the Wooden Sword gave a soft hum. "Prince Lu Ya, you have lost."

"Huh? I lost?"

The flames around Lu Ya froze as confusion appeared on his face.

In their understanding, they had never known defeat.

"Tenth Brother, you truly lost."

Di Yi stepped forward, patted Lu Ya on the shoulder, then noticed the bloody mark on his neck. He cupped his hands toward Tai Cang. "Thank you, fellow Daoist, for showing mercy."

Phew—

Tai Cang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, there were still reasonable people among the Golden Crows.

Di Yi's calmness prevented this match from turning into a farce.

With a thought, Tai Cang immediately returned the gesture. "Fellow Daoist Di Yi, you flatter me. This was merely a sparring match, not a fight to the death."

Di Yi nodded slightly and turned to Lu Ya. "Tenth Brother, come back with me. You have already lost this battle."

"Yes..."

Lu Ya answered in a daze and silently followed Di Yi to the side.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Tongtian!"

Inside the Sun Palace, Di Jun and the other Demon Race experts all congratulated Sect Master Tongtian.

The two sides had previously agreed that Lu Ya, the Tenth Golden Crow Prince, would represent the Demon Race in a contest against the immortals of the Jie Sect. Now that Lu Ya had lost to Tai Cang, the wager naturally ended with the Jie Sect's victory.

What was even rarer was that Di Jun and the others showed no displeasure. After all, everyone had seen Tai Cang hold back at the final moment, while the Golden Crow Princes' lack of real combat experience had also been thoroughly exposed. This was already a gain for the Demon Race.

They had won already?

The contest was over?

The Jie Sect disciples in the hall looked at one another. They had come eagerly to fight, yet before they had even exchanged blows with the Golden Crow Princes, the contest had ended? Zhao Gongming and the others looked at the spirit fruits and fine wine on the table, feeling that the victory had come far too easily. Instead, they felt vaguely disappointed.

"Fellow Daoist Di Jun, this..."

Sect Master Tongtian was about to respond when an angry shout suddenly came from the mirror. "Fellow Daoist Tai Cang, do you dare fight me?"

The Ninth Golden Crow Prince flapped his wings as he flew over. The flames behind him formed Golden Crow wings, and in the blink of an eye, he had arrived in the arena. As his sleeves billowed, countless fire crows circled around him, making him look like a king of flames.

"Insolence!"

"What is Little Nine doing?"

Di Jun slammed his hand onto the table and rose to his feet, fury appearing on his face. Lu Ya's defeat was still understandable, but for the Ninth Prince, a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, to rashly intervene would inevitably make them seem like sore losers.

"Big Brother, watch."

Eastern Emperor Tai Yi suddenly spoke. "That Tai Cang has already accepted the challenge."

Everyone was shocked and hurriedly turned to the mirror. Sure enough, Tai Cang wore a faint smile and held his Wooden Sword in salute. "Ninth Prince, please!" As he spoke, mana surged around him. He was already fully prepared.

Faced with an opponent at the Grand Unity Golden Immortal level, Tai Cang did not dare relax in the slightest. This was entirely different from his battle with Lu Ya just now.

Di Jiu said nothing more. With a wave of his hand, countless fiery Golden Crow phantoms howled forth. Compared to Lu Ya's Solar True Fire, these fire crows were more agile, their paths elusive and unpredictable. In an instant, the entire space was scorched crimson, as though an apocalyptic fire tribulation had descended.

"Be careful, Junior Brother Tai Cang!"

The Jie Sect disciples inside the Sun Palace all rose to their feet and cried out. Everyone could see that an offensive from a Grand Unity Golden Immortal was vastly different from one from a Golden Immortal. Under such power, one careless mistake would reduce Tai Cang to body and soul alike.

"Master!"

Zhao Gongming and the others all looked toward Sect Master Tongtian. If Tai Cang encountered danger, only a Saint's intervention could save him.

Tongtian calmly watched the scene in the mirror, seemingly unconcerned with the situation before him. His composure secretly surprised Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, making them wonder whether they had underestimated this Jie Sect disciple.

Inside the courtyard, Tai Cang's gaze sharpened. As the Wooden Sword in his hand trembled, vast sword intent burst forth. Before the Golden Crows formed from Solar True Fire could approach him, they all collapsed ten zhang away, turning into specks of light that scattered into the air.

It was sword intent!

What terrifying sword momentum!

The Golden Crow Princes watching the battle turned pale in shock. Even from so far away, the chilling sword intent made their skin sting.

The sword edge suddenly shifted. Tai Cang's Wooden Sword slashed out with boundless clear radiance. As Sword Qi tore through the air, his left hand formed a seal and summoned thunder from the Ninth Heaven. Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder transformed into a cage of lightning serpents, sealing off every escape route around Di Jiu.

Destruction-grade divine lightning!

A Golden Immortal could actually wield such a divine ability!

Inside the Sun Palace, the demon sages all changed expression. Di Jun stared at Tongtian and exclaimed, "Brother Daoist, could this outstanding disciple of yours be the Jie Sect's chief disciple?"

Tongtian's eye twitched slightly. He said calmly, "Tai Cang is one of my inner disciples." The hall erupted in uproar. The demon sages exchanged looks, their gazes sweeping across Zhao Gongming and the others. The hall immediately fell silent.

On the battlefield, Di Jiu roared as he activated his natal true fire. His Golden Crow Dharma Idol had only just taken shape when it was torn apart by the overwhelming Sword Qi. The lightning cage sealed all directions, and as the Sword Qi bore down on him, despair finally appeared in this Golden Crow Prince's eyes.

A deafening explosion echoed through the rear courtyard. The ground shook violently, dust filled the air, and the lightning gradually faded.

A breeze swept past, and the dust settled, revealing Di Jiu kneeling on one knee. His entire body was charred black, and he gasped for breath. Though his life was not in danger, he no longer had the strength to fight.

"Ninth Brother!"

"Little Nine!"

Di Yi and the others immediately rushed over to check on him. After confirming that Di Jiu's injuries were not serious, they sighed in relief and turned toward Tai Cang. "Fellow Daoist Tai Cang, you truly hid your strength well."

Tai Cang smiled calmly. Facing an opponent at the Grand Unity Golden Immortal level, he had not dared be careless in the slightest. Raising the Wooden Sword in his hand, he said, "Everyone, continue."

Di Ba stepped forward, the pressure of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal sweeping across the area. Scorching flames condensed in his hand into a long spear. He cupped his hands solemnly. "Please enlighten me."

Before his words had even faded, he transformed into a streak of light and charged at Tai Cang. Having witnessed Tai Cang's strength, he no longer dared underestimate this Golden Immortal at the peak of his realm.

Come!

Tai Cang swung his sword to meet the attack. The Wooden Sword and long spear collided in midair, erupting with a piercing clang. The violent energy waves cracked the ground of the rear courtyard and made the sky tremble.

The Fusang Tree shone with dazzling light, stabilizing the space. Though the aftershocks were suppressed, the battle between the two became increasingly intense. The scattered sword radiance was enough to instantly kill ordinary Golden Immortals.

Suddenly, a cold gleam flashed. Tai Cang's Wooden Sword stopped before Di Ba's brow, and the battle came to an abrupt end.

"Fellow Daoist, you have lost."

A trace of ease flashed through Tai Cang's eyes. This time, it was an upright victory. He discovered that the purity of his Shangqing Qi was no weaker than that of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal. Combined with his endlessly replenishing mana, he could even contend with a mid-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortal.

"I lost."

Di Ba lowered his spear in despondence. As a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, losing to a Golden Immortal was an enormous blow. Yet he was thoroughly convinced and turned to return to his brothers.

Tai Cang nodded in satisfaction. So long as they did not go back on their word, he could quickly complete the mission of defeating the Ten Golden Crows and obtain Max Level Privilege.

Tai Cang looked toward the remaining seven Golden Crow Princes, gripped his Wooden Sword tightly, and declared, "Please enlighten me!"

"I'll fight you!"

Before the words had faded, a Golden Crow Prince had already flown toward Tai Cang.

However, his strength was on par with Di Ba's. His long-range Solar True Fire could not defeat the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder, while in close combat, he was likewise no match for Tai Cang's sharp edge.

In less than half an hour, this Golden Crow Prince was defeated.

After that, Tai Cang became unstoppable.

One Golden Crow Prince after another entered the battle, yet all returned in defeat.

"Junior Brother Tai Cang is mighty!"

"Junior Brother Tai Cang is mighty!"

As the Golden Crow Princes suffered defeat after defeat, the Jie Sect disciples inside the Sun Palace all cheered excitedly.

Tai Cang had fought on behalf of the Jie Sect, and his string of victories had won boundless glory for the Jie Sect.

The disciples looked at Tai Cang with increasing respect, and all the resentment in their hearts disappeared.

In the Primordial World, the strong were revered!

Even among fellow disciples, open and secret rivalries were unavoidable.

In the past, although Tai Cang's talent had been exceptional, it had only inspired envy and even jealousy.

But now that he had defeated Grand Unity Golden Immortals one after another, the jealousy in Zhao Gongming and the others' hearts had long since turned into admiration.

If someone was only a little stronger than you, they might inspire resentment. But if they were strong enough to make you look up to them, all that remained was wholehearted conviction.

"They all lost..."

At the seat of honor, Di Jun's expression darkened.

He had never taken Tai Cang seriously, but seeing his sons lose despite their higher cultivation realms was difficult to accept.

Eastern Emperor Tai Yi and the other Demon Race experts also frowned deeply.

Tai Cang's strength was certainly admirable, but gaining fame by stepping on the Golden Crow Princes had caused the Demon Race to lose all face.

"This is the final battle."

Tongtian suddenly said, "Di Yi is a mid-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortal. Tai Cang may not necessarily win."

At these words, a spark of hope flashed in Di Jun and the other Demon Race experts' eyes.

Just as Tongtian had said, with Di Yi's cultivation, defeating Tai Cang should be beyond doubt.

If he could turn the tide, the Demon Race could still preserve some of its dignity.

Everyone stared intently at the scene in the mirror, hoping Di Yi could reverse the situation.

"Fellow Daoist Di Yi, it is your turn."

In the rear courtyard, after defeating Di Er, Tai Cang fixed his blazing gaze on Di Yi.

His heart surged with excitement—so long as he defeated Di Yi, he would complete the mission and unlock the One-Click Max Level Privilege. Then, once the Grand Clarity Bright Jade Body reached perfection, his body and primordial spirit would both be cultivated, and his strength would surely rise to an even greater level!

"Big Brother!"

"Big Brother!"

Di Jiu and the others all looked toward Di Yi, their expressions grave.

All nine brothers had suffered defeat in succession. If Di Yi lost as well, where would the Golden Crow clan's dignity remain?