Appointment (Part 2)

Zhan Qing had assumed that because his years of cultivation far exceeded his opponent's and his Talisman Artifact was superior, his Earth Shrinking Step would surely best the Imprisoning Earth. He never expected that while Yan Chihuo had cultivated for fewer years, the twelve layers of restrictions on his Soul-Breaking Sword were the genuine article and possessed immense power; coupled with the fact that Yan Chihuo's mastery of spells was also superior, Zhan Qing stumbled, and his Earth Shrinking Step was instantly broken.

Zhan Qing was about to cast Stone Armor Art, but it was already too late. Yan Chihuo's long sword was pressed against his throat, the sharp Sword Qi drawing a thin line of blood. Although it was merely a superficial wound, it frightened Zhan Qing until his face turned ashen. He heard Yan Chihuo's voice in his ear, "Senior Brother Zhan, I concede the victory to your grace."

The three of them had originally assumed that Yan Chihuo's slaying of the Heavenly Evil Blood Demon was merely a stroke of luck, and they had intended to use this opportunity to thoroughly humiliate him. They never expected that after only three moves and two strikes, two of them would already be defeated. The three could not help but feel that they had lost face.

Zhong Yun stepped forward and said to Yan Chihuo, "Junior Brother Yan is truly extraordinary. This humble one has come to seek some guidance."

Yan Chihuo replied, "My victories over Senior Brother Hong and Senior Brother Zhan were merely due to luck. Given Senior Brother Zhong's cultivation, if this humble one were to engage you as well, it would be sheer ignorance of what is good for me."

Zhong Yun and the others were not about to let Yan Chihuo leave; if they didn't win back at least one round, where would they put their pride? Zhong Yun said, "Junior Brother Yan is too modest. This elder brother merely wishes to spar with you for the duration of one incense stick; why must you keep people at such a distance?"

Zhan Qing had recovered by now and added, "Junior Brother Yan, we already agreed earlier. Senior Brother Zhong only wishes to spar with you for the time it takes for one incense stick to burn. Come, come, I shall keep time." Having said this, he pulled a stick of incense from his sleeve.

Zhong Yun had not been confident in defeating Yan Chihuo within the time of one incense stick, but seeing Yan Chihuo act this way, he assumed it was out of fear and felt greatly reassured. At the same time, he thought to himself, Even if I defeat Yan Chihuo after the incense burns out, I fear it will not add any luster to my reputation.

Although Yan Chihuo had defeated two opponents in a row, he had not the slightest confidence against Zhong Yun. Knowing that the other party would never let him leave, he used his words to pressure them once more, pinning the duration to within one incense stick.

Zhong Yun's expression was grave as he gripped a giant axe, staring intently at Yan Chihuo. Because cultivators who practice earth-attribute techniques possess deep mana and extraordinary strength, the Talisman Artifacts they employ are heavy weapons like axes and hammers.

Yan Chihuo knew well that a cultivator at the Body Forging Late Stage was not comparable to the likes of Zhan Qing or Hong Lie. When he fought the Heavenly Evil Blood Demon's senior brother, he would have been the one to fall had he not taken advantage of the terrain. Although his current strength had improved significantly since then, the spells cast by that senior brother were far beyond those of Zhan Qing and Hong Lie.

Yan Chihuo said, "Senior Brother Zhong, please grant me your instruction!"

Zhong Yun swung his axe down. Just as Yan Chihuo was about to retreat, he felt a rotation beneath his feet—Imprisoning Earth! Zhong Yun had seized the initiative to cast this spell first.

Facing this situation, Yan Chihuo had no other thoughts but to circulate his mana, intending to break free by force. At that very moment, a series of thunderous roars erupted as countless giant rocks descended from the sky—Falling Rock Art!

Zhong Yun's Falling Rock Art was far beyond that of Zhan Qing or Hong Lie; not only were the boulders more massive, but they were faster and covered a wider area. Even without being trapped by the Imprisoning Earth, it would have been impossible for Yan Chihuo to weave through the gaps in the rocks as he had done while fighting Zhan Qing.

Yan Chihuo swung his long sword, striking a giant rock, which flew to the side and collided with another, causing both to tumble away.

Without pausing, Yan Chihuo unleashed over a dozen sword strikes, knocking away the surrounding boulders. Simultaneously, a layer of Stone Armor manifested on his body. He twisted and dodged, and the rocks falling upon him were either deflected by his sword or slid off his frame. Occasionally, a few boulders struck him, but he used his agile footwork to dissipate most of the force, preventing them from causing any significant damage.

Zhong Yun stood to the side, waiting for Yan Chihuo to emerge from the barrage so he could land a single, devastating blow. But after a moment, the rocks had finished falling, and Yan Chihuo had not emerged. Could it be that he had been severely wounded by that onslaught?

Zhong Yun frowned. If he injured Yan Chihuo too severely, it would be difficult to explain; after all, Yan Chihuo had shown mercy to Zhan Qing and Hong Lie. If he were to leave Yan Chihuo on the verge of death, it would be hard to justify among their fellow disciples.

Just then, two large rocks flew out, and Yan Chihuo's figure soared out with them. As Zhong Yun prepared to cast another spell, Yan Chihuo let out a loud shout and opened his right hand. Five rays of colorful light shot out, reaching toward Zhong Yun.

This Soul Snatch technique was the signature move of Ping Qi from years ago. Although Zhong Yun had never seen it, he had heard Wu Yunhe mention it often enough to be on guard. He immediately held his giant axe horizontally, blocking all five rays of light.

Little did he know, this was exactly what Yan Chihuo wanted. The five rays of light transformed into a giant hand, grabbed the giant axe, and yanked it to the side, creating an opening. At that precise moment, Yan Chihuo flicked his long sword and thrust it forward.

A layer of Stone Armor appeared on Zhong Yun's body as he shifted sideways. With a chi sound, the sword grazed him. Sparks flew everywhere; a crack appeared in his Stone Armor, and even his clothes were shredded by the Sword Qi, though fortunately, his skin remained uninjured. Even so, Zhong Yun broke out in a cold sweat.

Yan Chihuo was also startled. Although he knew Zhong Yun's Stone Armor Art was extraordinary, he had not expected such astonishing defense.

Zhong Yun scrutinized Yan Chihuo. Although Yan Chihuo was covered in dust and his clothes were torn in many places, he had no actual wounds, which secretly amazed him. What method had Yan Chihuo used to evade the Falling Rock Art? Naturally, he could not know that Yan Chihuo's senses were far sharper than he could have imagined.

Yan Chihuo dared not wait for Zhong Yun to strike again. He pivoted on his feet, circled behind Zhong Yun, and thrust his sword again. Zhong Yun swung his axe backhand; the tip of the axe condensed into a mass of stone, linked end-to-end like a long serpent, and crashed toward Yan Chihuo. This strike fused the Falling Rock Art with his axe technique—the axe borrowed the stone's power, and the stone borrowed the axe's force. Yan Chihuo dared not parry; he swayed his body and dodged once more.

Zhong Yun let out a roar and swung his axe horizontally. The long stone serpent also turned its head to strike at Yan Chihuo.

Yan Chihuo shouted and slashed down with his sword. Countless giant rocks fell from the sky, instantly burying the stone serpent into the ground. The giant axe followed, and with a bang, countless rocks flew into the air. Yan Chihuo tapped his sword against the giant axe, launched himself into the air, landed on a boulder, and with a whoosh, flew several yards away.

Zhong Yun inwardly praised him. Whether in cultivation or the mastery of spells, Yan Chihuo was inferior to him, but his adaptability in battle and the precision of his timing were things he could never hope to match.