Cloud Terrace Tournament, Part Four

It must be said that the Hengshan disciples were quite skilled. Although they started to cheat again later, they still managed to take on Qin Jiu one by one and eventually beat him to the second stage.

However, continuing the fight would be quite difficult. After Supreme Purity is, those who have come to the Yuntai Grand Competition are just Outer Sect Disciple at the Golden Core stage. The secret manuals they can master, the Dao techniques they can use, and the damage they can deal at this stage are really limited. At present, they probably don't have any skills with higher damage than the Jade Balance Sword Qi or the Heavenly Pillar Sword Technique.

And frankly speaking, just based on Qin Jiu's entrance, his appearance, and his style, he's clearly a dungeon boss! You'd need at least a forty-person raid group, forming a magic array to suppress him! What kind of dungeon opens with the boss blocking the entrance, trying to solo you one by one?

In Li Fan's hometown, this situation is called a dungeon bug, and there's basically only one way to deal with it: 'Just die already! Once everyone's dead, get out and start over!' If only the Hengshan disciples could do that too...

"Hehehe! The Daoist magic of Ink Bamboo Mountain is truly Gao Ming! This Blood Path Secret Technique is probably even more advanced than that of the Demonic Sect!"

Purple Void Dao Lord flashed in front of Li Fan in a flash, grabbed his wrist, and stared straight at him with six eyes flashing purple light.

"Fellow Daoist Qingyue, Hengshan has been outmaneuvered this time. As the saying goes, it's better to resolve conflicts than to let them fester. Why don't we discuss a way to clear up this misunderstanding?"

Li Fan's mood dropped a little.

Li Fan's mood dropped a little.

Li Fan's mood dropped a little.

The system started spamming the screen, displaying six comments per second, each dropping by one point. My current mood is 24k/215.5k, which should last about half an hour. Feel free to stare all you want.

Li Fan looked at his wrist again. The place where Purple Void Dao Lord had grabbed him seemed to be scorched by purple flames, turning black. And those purple flames were spreading towards his elbow little by little, gradually destroying and eroding the micro-dust Dao Body, completely annihilating the Taiji micro-dust that Li Fan had cultivated according to the Heavenly Book, burning it into dust of baleful energy.

This couldn't really be considered as Purple Void Dao Lord making a move; it was more of a warning. Li Fan indeed couldn't escape her grasp. If they really started fighting, this nun could probably burn away Li Fan's outer shell in a flash, directly forcing him into the second stage.

However, this was indeed the first time Li Fan had ever seen such a purple flame. Judging from its attributes, it seemed to be similar to the sword power of the False Moon. It might be a secret technique of the Nangong Seven Friends, or it might be a unique secret manual of Purple Void Dao Lord, or some kind of specially refined False Moon flame.

Wow, you're amazing! I love that move, keep going, don't stop.

So Li Fan grinned at Purple Void Dao Lord and asked, "Daoist, how do you intend to resolve this?"

With his left hand holding Li Fan's wrist, Purple Void Dao Lord calculated with his right fingers and said, "Since we're fighting over land, how about Hengshan offers 100,000 hectares of fertile land in Xunzhou as compensation to the Qin Family?"

Li Fan almost burst out laughing. "Wow, 100,000 hectares! That's awesome! By the way, why do you all like saying 100,000 so much? Has Daojun ever farmed? No offense intended, but do you even know how big 100,000 hectares is? You just throw around that number. Can Hengshan even provide that?"

Purple Void Dao Lord pulled Li Fan to his side and sneered, "What exactly do you want, fellow Daoist? Why don't you just name your price?"

Li Fan smiled without saying a word, simply confronting Purple Void Dao Lord.

However, when Han the Divine Lord saw that Li Fan's elbows were blackened by the moonfire, yet he was still stubbornly insisting on his innocence, he quickly stepped forward to advise him.

"Li Daoyou, both Ink Bamboo Mountain and Hengshan are fellow practitioners of the Xuanmen sect, so why make things so tense? Besides, young friend Qin is representing Songshan in this competition. The Yuntai Grand Competition has long-established rules. If your sect's disciples wish to discuss cause and effect, they might as well wait until the peak-seizing competition to fight. If this stalemate continues, it wouldn't be good if both mountains lost their qualifications."

Li Fan laughed heartily, "What does it matter? Eight peaks or nine peaks? If they can't be selected, they can't be selected. Who dares to say that if your disciple can't become the Sword Master, then Mount Song and Mount Heng are unworthy to be among the Nine Great Xuan Sects! Originally, disciples only fought swords to see their skills. Whether they fought on the mountaintop or at the foot of the mountain, what difference did it make?"

Everyone has seen Qin Jiu's abilities now. How many people on Yuntai Peak are absolutely certain of defeating him? Even if I let your Hengshan pass, so what? Even if I told him not to make a move and just withdraw, and handed over the Yuntai Sword Master to you, so what? You couldn't even get past the first trial. Can you say you won the sword duel and survived the ordeal?"

Upon hearing Li Fan's words, Han the Divine Lord fell silent for a moment, and even Purple Void Dao Lord frowned.

These Dao Lords and Divine Lords may have varying levels of cultivation, but none of them were simple in terms of aptitude and comprehension. As soon as Li Fan spoke, they realized that they had indeed placed too much importance on the so-called rules of the Cloud Platform Grand Competition and the positions of the Nine Great Xuan Sects, and had become attached to appearances.

What's with all this talk of three stages: climbing the mountain, conquering the peak, and sword fighting? If we really followed the Sword Sect's rules, we'd just chop away. We'd fight from start to finish, from the foot of the mountain to the summit, until only one person remained standing. The Winner would take all. Why make it so complicated? Why worry about the reputation of this sect or that sect, with all this talk of Sword Main Peak?

In reality, the Yuntai Grand Competition was ultimately decided by the leaders of various sects and mountains. They felt that if it were to be conducted like the Sword Sect, it would be too bloody, chaotic, and cruel, with dismembered limbs, severed heads, and intestines, which was not aesthetically pleasing. Moreover, since these were their own disciples, their masters might get really angry. That's why they set up various rules, such as separate rounds, rematches, and revival rounds, to screen and control the scale of the sword fighting, and to prevent it from becoming too violent.

Indeed, the current Cloud Platform Competition has become too focused on sect rivalry, neglecting the Oldest One purpose of allowing these disciples to undergo trials and improve their cultivation. Now that Li Fan has exposed this charade, Purple Void Dao Lord, upon reflection, agreed, releasing Li Fan and bowing to him.

"Fellow Daoist is right. I was anxious and offended you earlier."

Li Fan hadn't expected the other party to come to their senses so quickly, and was momentarily speechless; they hadn't even finished analyzing the Moonfire yet.

"No, wait, wait a minute... Daoist Lord, if you're worried, why don't you grab me again?"

Purple Void Dao Lord glared at him six times, then went to the side to talk with Han the Divine Lord.

Li Fan felt a pang of disappointment. If he hadn't been so nonchalant and had delayed a little longer, he might have actually managed to steal the trick. Tsk...

However, the Outer Sect Disciple of Hengshan were not as enlightened as their Dao Lord. Especially when they saw their fellow disciples, who had originally studied under the same master, scattered into pieces of flesh at Qin Jiu's feet in the blink of an eye, and Yin Hong's blood flowing down the mountain path like a stream, the Hengshan disciples holding swords couldn't help but tremble, their teeth chattering, and they subconsciously retreated to avoid the blinding pool of blood flowing in front of them.

Once one loses their spirit, it's hard to regain it. Although they have received guidance and promotion from their masters, it's not so easy to die for the name 'Hengshan'.

When these Outer Sect Disciple realize the vast difference in strength, when the gap is so great that charging forward would truly result in defeat and death, they will inevitably hear a voice in their hearts asking themselves the same question over and over again.

People leave this world to cultivate immortality, seeking nothing more than a carefree life and longevity. Is it truly worth dying for Mount Heng?

But just as the Hengshan disciples were wavering and losing their courage, a foot slammed into a pool of blood.

The Hengshan disciples were taken aback and turned to look. They saw a young man with wheat-colored skin, a square face, and thick eyebrows, carrying a sword and a saber on his back, stepping through a pool of blood as he ascended the mountain steps. He clasped his hands in a fist salute and said loudly,

"My name is Shi Kai. I would like to learn from the skills of Ink Bamboo Mountain."

Qin Jiu stared at the white-robed youth with his bright yellow eyes, somewhat puzzled. He could tell that the man had no Shangqing True Qi protecting him and was not carrying the Hengshan Sword.

"Since you are not from the Hengshan Sect, it's alright for you to pass."

"Well, I'm not from Hengshan, and actually I'm not even considered a member of the Xuanmen sect. I haven't even been admitted to Emei yet."

Shi Kai untied the seven-foot-long Zanma Knife from his back, peeled back the cloth binding the blade to reveal its deep spine, and held the hilt under his arm with his right arm, the long blade almost blocking the mountain path. With his left hand, he drew a longsword and flicked it, the blade incredibly sharp, cutting through the talisman cloth in one stroke, revealing the gleaming sword edge, pointing directly at Qin Jiu.

"But I have some grudges with Ink Bamboo Mountain. Actually, I owe him more than I owe him, but we also have a grudge. It's quite complicated, I can't even count it all, but you should understand. Anyway, we've finally met a formidable opponent, are we going to fight or not?"

Qin Jiu narrowed his eyes, sword in hand. "Alright, whatever grudge Ink Bamboo Mountain has, I'll take it on for him."

Shi Kai laughed, flashing a set of white teeth, "Very good, come on! Let's fight!"

Then he grabbed the sword hilt with his other hand, put it in his mouth and bit down on it. Holding the sword with both hands, he hissed and took a deep breath, inhaling even the smell of blood. In the next instant, his muscles buckled, his tendons bulged, and he swung the sword! A reverse slash!

The next instant, a wave of blood surged into the sky! It wasn't the Blood Talisman Sword Technique, but a blade aura! That surging, explosive blade aura, like a tidal wave, swept up the pool of blood on the ground! Like a mountain torrent, the blood wave surged upwards, crashing against the mountain!

There it is again! Riding Waves and Splitting Waves Slash!

This knife cannot be taken head-on!

Qin Jiu's pupils suddenly contracted. He leaped up like a giant ape to dodge! A torrent of blood surged beneath him! A sky-splitting blade of light cleaved along the mountain path!

"Hiss--!"

Then Shi Kai also jumped up, like a white ape, with a sword in his mouth, his long arms outstretched, holding the seven-foot-long sword diagonally across his right shoulder, his hands gripping the hilt and guard with one hand forward and the other backward, while his waist and back were slightly bent, straight as an eagle capturing a rabbit, his sword flashing like flowing water, directly slashing at Qin Jiu!

Manifestation: "The sword sweeps across the stars, revealing the dragon's light! Emei reveals the dragon's slash!"

Li Fan turned his head, "Where did you come from?!"

However, this strike was indeed beautifully executed, perfectly complementing the previous attack that forced Qin Jiu to dodge! Qin Jiu had no chance to avoid it; it was as if he had jumped up and run headfirst into Shi Kai's blade! He was cleanly and decisively cut in two at the waist!

"Excellent swordsmanship!" Qin Jiu's upper body spun in the air, and even as he passed Shi Kai, he still managed to throw his sword backhand, aiming straight for Shi Kai's brow!

Shi Kai suddenly turned his head and spat out a breath! At the same time, his waist twisted like an arch bridge, dodging the Xuanhuang sword energy. At the same time, the flying sword in his mouth also made a "clang!" sound as it flew through the air and struck the sword. Qin Jiu blocked the thrown magic sword, which flew back and was caught by Shi Kai. He jumped three times on the rock wall before landing and standing firmly.

Taking advantage of this opening, Qin Jiu wrapped the two severed pieces of his body with yellow silk, tied them together like a rope, and pulled them back together. At the same time, countless red threads shot out from the cut on his waist, reconnecting and sewing his body back together!

The Hengshan disciples below, witnessing this, felt their legs buckle and knelt on the ground. How could anyone fight someone who could be cut in half at the waist and instantly recover?

Shi Kai was also taken aback, almost dropping the sword from his mouth. "This works?"

Qin Jiu wasn't very happy. He frowned, turned to look at Shi Kai, who had already overtaken him and rushed to the upper mountain path. He hadn't expected to lose two moves so quickly and let his opponent get past him. He grabbed back the wooden sword and looked up at Shi Kai.

"It's my turn this time."

Shi Kai nodded, lifted the Zanma Knife, rested the back of the blade on his shoulder, stood up straight with his arm around the saber, and hissed as he inhaled.

Qin Jiu held the sword with both hands, the spine of the blade pressed against his face, bent his knees and stepped forward, leaning forward, and suddenly burst into a flying sprint!

"Blood Radiance Flying Star!"

Xia Baishu asked curiously, "Is this move also from the Blood Record Sword Scripture? I don't think I've ever heard of it?"

Li Fan turned his head, "I improved it... no! Why has it been changed again!?"

But there was no time to ask any more questions, and the fighting resumed on the mountain path! Qin Jiu leaped forward and thrust his sword, the tip of the magic sword wreathed in blood, its red light dazzling, like a crimson meteor, straight towards Shi Kai!

Li Fan can explain the Blood Radiance Flying Star himself. In short, it's a special move where the power of the Blood Talisman Sword is condensed at the tip of the sword, combined with a lightning-fast triple sword strike. Although it's said to be an improved version, it actually exists in the Blood Record Sword Scripture. To put it bluntly, it's a simplified version of the Blood Talisman Sword Rainbow, but it lacks the power of the sword, the rainbow effect, the speed, and the ability to escape.

In fact, the sword techniques and sword manuals of various schools inevitably refer to some of the techniques of the Nine Luminaries Sword Scripture Beichen Sword Sect. When cultivated to the extreme, all sword energy and magic power must be poured into a single point on the tip of the sword, so that the power of the sword tip is blazing and shining like a star. With limited power, the supreme power of the sword technique can be exerted, and the dazzling Sword Light can also obscure the sword path.

Qin Jiu's thrust was a special sword technique developed by Li Fan, combining his understanding of the Profound Heaven Sword Method and the Blood Record Sword Scripture, specifically targeting the Blood Refining Technique. Although in terms of power boost and damage ceiling, it was probably not as good as the combination of the Dustless Easy Qi Sword and the Great Songyang Divine Art, in terms of the exquisiteness of the sword moves and the combat effectiveness, it was definitely superior in this PVP setting!

"Pah! Well done!"

Shi Kai spat out another sword from his mouth. The flying sword first flew into the sky, spun half a circle, and then turned upside down, striking Qin Jiu's head!

Unfortunately, before the Sword Light could land, it was deflected by Xingguang and sent flying off the mountain path with a clang...

However, Li Fan now understood. That sword was indeed the one that should have been given to Shi Yong when he was exorcising demons in the South China Sea. Although it had been passed down to Shi Kai, it was clear that no one had taught him the art of sword control. This kid also didn't know how to store the sword in his mouth and nurture it with his inner energy, so he could only use a clumsy method: he would bite it in his mouth, transfer a Dao Breath of Dao energy to it, and then spit it out to shoot out a sword to interfere with the battle...

However, he didn't actually rely on the flying sword for damage; he only used it to disrupt his opponent's stance. When it came to life or death, the Shi Family relied solely on the sword in their hands!

"The sea is calm! But the waves are surging!"

Shi Kai shouted, swinging the Zanma Knife in his hand, spinning it three times—no, not three times, but in an instant, it erupted with three layers upon layers of dense, wave-like saber waves! The saber light gathered and fell in layers, like a surging tide, silent and overwhelming, like Mount Tai pressing down, crashing straight towards the blood-red starlight!

If one strike can't cut it, then strike three hundred times! Three thousand times! Cut down all the waves! Slice the sea and sky apart!

"Cut--!"

At that very moment, facing the boundless sea of swords, starlight also blossomed.

"Blood Radiance Flying Star!!"

Ji Qingyan was shocked, "Hiss! This move is!"

Li Fan didn't even turn his head, "The Blood Record Sword Scripture Strike Style."

Yes, this is the scene created by combining the original Blood Wind Dance technique, which was originally used to counter it, with the power of the Blood Talisman Sword.

In that instant, the flying stars exploded into a sky full of stars, the energy waves of blades and the blood-red light of swords shone brightly, blooming and dancing wildly! In the narrow mountain path, the sounds of swords clashing rang out, like the roars of dragons and tigers! A gale swept through, and blood rained down!

Even the elderly people at the Peach Banquet held their breath for a moment, because no one had expected that a battle of this caliber could take place at the Golden Core stage.

As the sword wind dissipated and the blade light faded, the figures of the two young men, who had collided, emerged from the misty rain of blood.

Qin Jiu thrust his sword into Shi Kai's heart, but the wooden sword in his hand had already been cut in half by the blade, only piercing the outer skin, and Shi Kai grabbed the blade.

Shi Kai cleaved down Qin Jiu's shoulder with a single strike, shattering the protective aura of Songyang, and cutting all the way into his collarbone, almost touching his heart, before Qin Jiu caught it in his hand.

"I won." Qin Jiu, gripping his knife and sword, strained against his opponent, his bright yellow eyes fixed on Shi Kai. "I have one more move to make."

Shi Kai laughed, "I have one more sword."

Qin Jiu suddenly turned to the side, and the flying sword that pierced from behind pierced through his right chest, the tip protruding and splattering blood all over Shi Kai's face.

"Ha!" Shi Kai suddenly exerted his strength, Zanma Knife down his saber and forcing Qin Jiu to his knees. "Let go! You're out of breath!"

Qin Jiu gritted her teeth, "No! I have one more move! If I use it, you will die! Let go!"

Shi Kai furious, "Can't you accept defeat?!"

Qin Jiu raised his head high, "I didn't lose!"

"You!" Shi Kai was about to curse when he suddenly raised his eyes and looked behind Qin Jiu. He saw Chu Nanyi silently leap out of the blood mist, her Autumn Forest Sword flashing orange light, slashing towards Qin Jiu's head and neck.

In that instant, almost instinctively, Shi Kai released his grip on the broken sword and pulled the knife from Qin Jiu's neck.

At that very moment, Qin Jiu also looked up and saw a figure emerge from the ground behind Shi Kai, lightning flashing between his hands as he stabbed straight at the backs of the two men!

In that instant, Qin Jiu almost instinctively released his grip on the broken sword, reached over Shi Kai's shoulder, and unleashed a palm strike at his opponent.

In the next instant, Shi Kai blocked Autumn Forest Sword's sword path with a single strike, while Chu Nanyi frowned, abruptly withdrew his sword, spread his sleeves, and like a giant bat, silently flew back into the blood mist.

The next instant, the person who had used earth magic to ambush Qin Jiu launched a full-force attack, clashing with Qin Jiu's palm. With a loud bang, Qin Jiu was sent flying backward, staggering ten steps before collapsing onto the mountain steps.

Qin Jiu took the blow squarely, his arm crackling with a thunderous sound as he was blasted headfirst to the ground. If Shi Kai hadn't grabbed him, he would have rolled right to Chu Nanyi's feet at the mountain pass.

"See? I have another trick up my sleeve."

The right half of Qin Jiu's body was pierced by lightning, roasted until it was charred on the outside and tender on the inside, turning completely black.

Shi Kai turned his head and saw the cultivator behind him lying on the stone steps, panting heavily for a while, and then with a "poof," he exploded into a pile of minced meat, which looked like meat cubes after being chopped by some sharp blade.

Chu Nanyi roared, "Junior brother! What are you doing! Kill that demonic child!"

Shi Kai was stunned for a moment. He looked at the group of Hengshan disciples, who were holding sharp blades and flying past Chu Nanyi. They rushed up the mountain path. He looked down at Qin Jiu, who had exhausted his strength and fainted. He gritted his teeth, picked him up, and turned to run wildly up the mountain.

"We're not done fighting yet!"