Defeat

"Ink Bamboo Mountain disciple Sun Yang requests guidance!"

The fourth sword of Bamboo Mountain leaped onto the jade board. Although he showed no fear, the opponent's powerful magical artifact indeed made Sun Yang frown.

Yu Danian had shattered three layers of the canopy before his death, but the new banners within had already grown more than halfway around. It was obvious that without a magical artifact to protect him, relying solely on pseudo-Golden Core Daoist techniques for brute force would be insufficient to break through this Nascent Soul-level defensive artifact.

Moreover, Lü Daolian, now under the protection of his artifact, had recovered his senses. Enraged by his disfigurement and humiliation, he was filled with murderous intent.

Seeing Sun Yang enter the arena, he didn't utter a word. He flipped his Amber Seal and hurled it towards Sun Yang's forehead!

Sun Yang had prepared for his third match. With a flick of his right sleeve, he unleashed a meteor hammer, which collided with the Sky-Overturning Seal with a 'bang'.

Naturally, the artifact held the advantage, smashing the meteor hammer onto the jade board and breaking off most of its head.

However, because it was a chain-and-hammer weapon, it didn't bear the full force directly like a sword or saber. Sun Yang was completely unaffected. He knocked the artifact away and could still retrieve the meteor hammer to block again. He also maneuvered his feet with his Qi, completely evading the seal.

Conversely, Lü Daolian, after repeatedly driving his seal only to have it deflected by the flying hammer, was expending considerable energy. The veins on his neck bulged, and the wound on his face, which he had managed to cover with silk, burst open again in his rage, bleeding black blood.

"Lotus, don't fall for his trick! Just have the Wind Leopard pounce on him!"

The roadside-faced madam, whose arms had been severed, still had the energy to watch and advise. She was in a sorry state, with no one to help her with bandages. She could only circulate her Qi to heal the severed ends of her arms and stop the bleeding.

"You don't need to tell me! I know! Wind Leopard, go!" Lü Daolian roared, withdrawing his seal. He jumped up, clutching his face, and kicked the white-furred snow leopard beneath him.

The Wind Leopard sprang forward, transforming into a whirlwind that swept towards the opposing Daoist.

But with such open and direct confrontation, how could Sun Yang not be wary? Seeing the Wind Leopard卷过来, he flicked his left sleeve again, unleashing a gust of yellow wind that mingled with the leopard's white wind. A fierce gale erupted, kicking up sand and stones, and whipping flesh and blood!

"Ah! Yellow Heaven Dao..." Zhou Sheng exclaimed, covering his mouth. He quickly reacted, wiped his mustache, and forced himself to remain calm.

Nangong Wushuang and the other cultivators from the south showed no particular reaction, merely taking it as some kind of wind evasion technique. They focused their attention entirely on Yao Xuanzhou, who stood at the head of the formation, guarding against any surprise attack from him.

However, the "Northerner," Abbot Faji of Mount Tiantai, recognized it. He clasped his hands and chanted a Buddhist name, "Namo Akshobhya Tathagata. I never thought the Bamboo Mountain demonic sect would collude with the Yellow Heavenly Devil Dao to harm the northern lands and bring calamity to all beings!

Indeed, your demonic sects collude with each other, truly bearing heavy sins! These demonic sons and grandsons cannot be spared this time!"

Zhou Sheng smiled, "Abbot speaks wisely. This humble one has also heard of the Yellow Heaven Dao causing chaos in the six northern kingdoms, spreading their teachings and rebelling, defying the Immortal Palace's Xuanmen, and harming countless people!"

Nangong Wushuang also declared, "So they are all Devilish Son! No wonder their attacks are so vicious! They deserve to be killed!"

Thus, the cultivators from the south nodded in agreement, their resolve to punish demons and eliminate devils strengthened. They collectively denounced Ink Bamboo Mountain for colluding with the Yellow Heavenly Devil Dao and their evil deeds that brought calamity to the world.

Yao Xuanzhou also frowned, observing Sun Yang's Daoist technique in the arena for a while.

He concealed his left hand, and without knowing what hand seals he was forming, he unleashed rolling yellow winds. After a brief clash, the wind turned blood-red, shredding the snow leopard into a shapeless mass of flesh and bone fragments that flew out. Then, the great wind, like a sandstorm, enveloped the entire Hua Gai artifact, trapping Lü Daolian within.

The yellow wind of the Yellow Heaven Dao was easily recognizable, blowing with rolling yellow sand that obscured the sky. Its followers also wore yellow robes, hence the name Yellow Heaven Dao. Although the leader of the Yellow Heaven Dao claimed to have learned all his techniques from immortals, there were also rumors that he obtained half of the Tai Su Heavenly Book.

This yellow wind was indeed not a technique of the acquired immortal Dao, nor was it among the five spiritual energies generated by Taiji. Therefore, the cultivation world generally believed they had inherited from a Tai Su Dao Ancestor, referring to the unknown entity that imparted the teachings as 'Yellow Heaven'.

The Yellow Heaven Dao was classified similarly to the Luo Sect of the past, an illegal folk cult organization in the twelve kingdoms, possessing the power and potential to challenge the orthodoxies of the three major sects. Its reputation in the open was naturally not very good.

He then asked his disciples, "Has anyone among you learned this technique?"

Two Bamboo Mountain disciples immediately bowed and admitted.

Yao Xuanzhou's brow furrowed, "There is no such technique in the inner sect's scripture pavilion. Who taught you?"

The two honestly replied, "It was the outer disciple instructor, True Master Zhang."

Yao Xuanzhou had already suspected this and nodded, closing his mouth and asking no further questions.

At this moment, only the madam was most anxious, repeatedly asking, "I have never seen this yellow wind before. What kind of Daoist technique is it? Is there a way to break it?"

Monk Faji shook his head, "It's not a particularly powerful killing move, but this yellow wind is not among the five energies. If one's vision is obscured, with wind sounds from all directions, it's impossible to discern the origin from inside or out. And it's not easy to undo quickly, so it's usually used by these demonic Daoists for escape, trapping people, or..."

Then Sun Yang extended his right hand from his sleeve. His right hand cut open, and in his palm, he held a three-inch-long Heart-Piercing Nail. His vital blood poured out, washing over the nail.

Sun Yang's complexion was now dark blue, and he was chewing and swallowing several pills, clearly suffering from pill toxicity and not having long to live. However, at the same time, his vital blood turned a vibrant crimson, soaking the artifact. Gripped by his fingers, lightning crackled, clearly accumulating immense power!

"Lotus!" The madam, seeing this, was terrified and rushed to save him, intending to throw herself forward. Unexpectedly, Yao Xuanzhou did not move, but the twin brothers stopped her. They roared in anger, "Get out of the way!"

The elder brother, holding the Precept-Keeping Blade, shook his head. The younger brother, holding the Vajra Pestle, frowned. They said in unison, "Regardless of righteous or evil origins, agreeing to duel on the stage is a voluntary journey into a deadly tribulation! You have intervened twice to help him; this is not the way of the righteous path!"

"What are you two ugly monsters talking about! If you harm my Lotus's life, I will make your entire clan pay!" the madam shrieked hysterically.

The twin brothers ignored her and said in unison, "We E Shenyu await your presence."

The madam was about to argue further when the situation in the arena changed again. The rolling yellow wind gradually subsided and stopped. It turned out that Lü Daolian had used his Hua Gai to collect it all into the umbrella canopy!

Having forcibly absorbed the yellow wind and damaged his banners by three layers, Lü Daolian's face was contorted with rage as he roared, "Don't think you can escape with such a petty trick! You injured my face! I will definitely eliminate all of you wicked creatures--!"

Before he could finish, Sun Yang threw the Heart-Piercing Nail in his hand.

With a flash of azure lightning and a thunderous sonic boom, it pierced through the remaining three layers of banners and went straight through his chest, sending Lü Daolian flying back a zhang. With a 'bang!', he fell to the ground, his life or death unknown.

"Lotus--!" The madam screamed and rushed forward.

This time, the E Shenyu brothers did not stop her.

Yao Xuanzhou did not draw his sword, but slowly closed his eyes, "Fate, fate..."

Sun Yang's face was covered in black blood, surging, "You are not allowed... to insult my sect..."

Then he sat on the ground, head bowed, and died.

Lü Daolian lay on the ground, the Heart-Piercing Nail piercing through his chest, striking the jade pendant on his neck that had once blocked a blood sword for him.

He had been saved by this artifact once again. In the end, he was merely knocked unconscious and did not die.

His master's wife snatched him and fled, not caring about any devil-slaying, and flew away on her own.

Regardless, this Lian'er had won three matches and passed the tribulation, so naturally, no one would stop them.

"...Next match." Yao Xuanzhou closed his eyes for three seconds before opening them and speaking again.

"Ink Bamboo Mountain disciple Liu Zongshou requests guidance!"

The fifth sword, Liu Zongshou, leaped onto the jade platform, standing beside the already defeated Sun Yang.

After continuously sacrificing themselves and being dealt with twice by the opponent, with one dead and one crippled, the围攻ing Nascent Soul cultivators no longer dared to stir up trouble at this opportunity, finding it pointless.

Zhou Sheng's eyes darted around, and he smiled at the pair of cultivators, "The two true cultivators who just made a move, perhaps you saw the evil techniques of the Bamboo Mountain Devil Cult? And your hearts are itching to display the skills of your sect?"

E Shenyu's two brothers exchanged glances, nodded, and turned to the square-faced, thick-browed young man they brought, "Go and witness the pride of the Central Plains."

The wheat-skinned young man nodded, leaped onto the jade slab, cupped his hands, and said loudly, "My name is Shi Kai."

"Liu Zongshou, please guide me." Liu Zongshou assumed the sword stance of the advanced Bamboo Mountain sword technique.

Shi Kai did not attack directly. He lowered his head and looked at the mess on the jade slab, "Shall we wait to fight? Do you want to collect the bones of your fellow disciples first?"

Liu Zongshou was stunned for a moment, one eye fixed on Shi Kai, the other glancing at the treasure ship.

"Thank you for your kindness, young Fellow Daoist Shi." Yao Xuanzhou nodded, summoned the Green Gourd, and absorbed all the flesh and blood on the jade slab, leaving only a patch of red.

Zhou Sheng stroked his mustache with a smile, "Look, Fellow Daoist, this is the difference between my righteous sect's disciples and your Devilish Heresy. Young hero Shi is kind-hearted and pities you demonic cultivators for leaving your corpses exposed in the wilderness. But it's best for the young hero to remain vigilant, these demonic people are accustomed to using insidious methods and strike ruthlessly, it's impossible to guard against."

Shi Kai nodded, "Thank you for the reminder, senior."

Zhou Sheng's eyes flickered, and he smiled and fell silent.

"Come, let's fight." Shi Kai raised his hand and took out a dark wooden oar from his storage space. Even though the young man was quite tall, the wooden oar already appeared long and heavy, dragging it in his hand, it looked like a great saber.

Liu Zongshou glanced at the young man before him, "You don't use a magic treasure?"

Shi Kai grinned, revealing a row of white teeth, "If I win, my uncles will buy me one."

E Shenyu's two brothers immediately averted their gaze, "Did you promise?"

Then they both looked away again, "I didn't, anyway."

Liu Zongshou didn't dwell on it, nodded, and leaped forward, channeling all his Sword Qi into one sword strike, stabbing directly!

"Bamboo Mountain Sword! Please guide me!"

Shi Kai put away his smile, furrowed his thick brows, held the oar with both hands, placed it diagonally behind him, and suddenly stomped forward. The entire person moved like a swift leopard, his momentum as fierce as a tiger. At the same time, he drew his saber and swept it horizontally, stirring up a sky-shattering spiritual energy, and roared, his voice like thunder!

"Riding Waves and Splitting Waves Slash!!"

"What!" Yao Xuanzhou's eyes widened abruptly.

"Blade energy!" Zhou Sheng's hand slipped, and he wiped off two of his mustache hairs.

One move, and the outcome was decided.

Liu Zongshou was swept away by this earth-shattering blade momentum, like a surging tide. The Bamboo Mountain Sword Method couldn't block this wave-splitting, sea-cleaving horizontal slash at all. The entire person, like a kite with a broken string, was sent flying directly from the jade platform.

Fortunately, two Bamboo Mountain disciples were waiting and leaped up to catch him.

The three landed on the deck and saw that Liu Zongshou's bones were shattered, his chest as if crushed by a heavy object, turning a patch of blue and purple, and he spat blood from his mouth.

But he didn't die. On one hand, it was because he had a life-preserving Golden Core in his mouth, and on the other hand, the half-moon-shaped blade energy that seemed capable of splitting the sea did not slash towards Liu Zongshou's head. After all, he had used an oar to strike horizontally.

Shi Kai propped himself up with the oar, cupped his fists, and said, "I concede."

Then the young man grinned broadly, revealing a row of white teeth. It was unclear whether he thought he had earned a magic treasure, or because his opponent was not dead, or simply because he had won a match.

In any case, it was clear he was very happy.