Stakes

Chen Lingxi traveled eastward for a long time, and finally saw the phantom of the Divine Deer hanging high in the Void once again.

The antlers reach the sky, and the sunset glows down.

He then descended from the clouds, parted the water curtain, and returned to his cave to recuperate before setting off to find Yuan Lingyu.

Yuan Lingyu's cave abode is located 600 miles west of Deer-Sleeping Peak, built along a clear stream. Several short pine trees grow in front of the cave, their branches hanging down, obscuring only half of the cave entrance.

Chen Lingxi in front of the cave. Before she could speak, a Divine Sense flowed out from the cave, and then the cave door opened from the inside. A pretty figure in a light yellow dress quickly came out to greet her.

"Senior brother! You're back!"

Yuan Lingyu's eyes shone brightly, and with a smile on her lips, she Chen Lingxi into the cave and personally brewed a cup of tea.

She had previously visited Chen Lingxi at the Water-Curtain Cave, and seeing that the water curtain at the cave entrance was closed and the energy was not dissipating, she knew that her senior brother was in seclusion outside and did not disturb him.

When I went back half a month later, the water curtain was still there, and I knew that my senior brother was traveling abroad. I had been thinking of him a lot.

Now that he has returned safely, all my worries have turned into joy.

Once the two were seated, Yuan Lingyu inquired about their whereabouts over the past two months.

Chen Lingxi answered casually for a few minutes, drank half a cup of tea, and then took out two jade bottles from his sleeve and placed them on the stone table.

"Junior sister."

He spoke, his expression unusually solemn.

"You previously told me that you had been practicing the Divine Ability Heavenly Calamity Law for two years but still couldn't grasp its essence?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Lingyu looked somewhat puzzled. "That's true."

Chen Lingxi continued, "I accidentally learned of two opportunities related to the Heavenly Calamity Law fortuitous opportunity."

Firstly, it is a * Mars Reflecting the Moon Zhi.

This fungus, which has lived for a thousand years, absorbs the moonlight and Heaven-Illuminating secrets of heaven. Those who cultivate the Heavenly Calamity Law can glimpse a fragment of the workings of calamity after consuming it.

He gently pushed the first jade bottle in front of Yuan Lingyu.

Secondly, there is the Calamity-Machinery Stone Marrow.

"By refining it into medicine, those who cultivate the Heavenly Calamity Law can gain a glimpse into the True Intention of the Path of Calamity."

He pushed the second jade bottle over as well.

"Both fortuitous opportunity lie here. Junior sister, you may choose one to cultivate, or you may combine the two."

How to use it is up to you, junior sister.

The cave fell silent for a moment.

Yuan Lingyu gazed at the two jade bottles, her bright eyes reflecting two faint medicinal lights, her gaze lingering there for a long time.

After a long while, she slowly raised her head.

Those eyes held a multitude of emotions that were difficult to describe...

She didn't say anything sentimental; she simply stood up and bowed deeply to Chen Lingxi.

"Thank you, senior brother."

Chen Lingxi accepted the greeting and nodded slightly.

"These two fortuitous opportunity are hard-won, junior sister should cherish them well."

If you can master the Heavenly Calamity Law, its Killing Power will be extraordinary, far surpassing other ordinary great supernatural Divine Ability. Senior brother hopes you will achieve mastery soon.

Yuan Lingyu nodded emphatically, carefully putting away the two jade bottles and tucking them into her sleeve.

That night, she said nothing more, but took out the few spiritual herbs she had stored in the cave abode, added two more packets of Qinglu tea to Chen Lingxi, and then respectfully escorted him to the cave entrance, watching the figure in black disappear into the night.

Chen Lingxi returned to his cave abode, Yuan Lingyu sealed the cave entrance and went into seclusion, hoping to take advantage of these two fortuitous opportunity to completely master the Heavenly Calamity Law in one go.

Chen Lingxi and returned to the Water-Curtain Cave. She carefully watered the Green Bamboo in front of the cave to Root-Protecting Water before returning to the cave.

He sat cross-legged before the bluestone.

Above the Dao Platform, the newly formed Jade-Colored Profound Root was quietly suspended in the Void.

Its color is warm and lustrous like jade, and the light gold patterns flowing on it have gradually solidified as he has been resting quietly for the past two days.

"The Heavenly-Law Edict has been fulfilled, and my second Profound Root has also sprouted."

What I need to do now is to nourish this profound Profound Root day and night with my own Dao Origin essence, so that it can completely settle into the Dao Platform and strengthen my Dragon-Stripping Dao Platform."

Chen Lingxi silently recited it in her heart.

To progress from the Dao Foundation Early Stage to the Dao Foundation Middle Stage, one must establish a second Profound Root from within the Dao Platform.

At that time, with the two Profound Root standing together, the Dao Origin contained within the Dao Platform will more than double!

"Dao Foundation Middle Stage is within reach."

Chen Lingxi slowly closed his eyes, about to gently inject a wisp of Dao Origin into the Jade-Colored Profound Root.

At that very moment.

A sound of something cutting through the air slowly drifted from outside Deer-Sleeping Peak.

"Someone else is here."

Chen Lingxi opened her eyes.

He sensed that two streams of energy had broken through the clouds and were heading towards the Water-Curtain Cave.

The two streams of energy were one in front of the other, one deep and one shallow.

That deep, unwavering gaze carried a restrained yet sharp edge!

The shallower one is sharp and exposed, with a hint of undisguised arrogance!

Chen Lingxi narrowed her eyes slightly.

The two streams of energy were surprisingly familiar to him.

"Chu Zhuo of Sword-Illuminating Mystic Peak... is the one who argued with Senior Brother Shen Xiu'an that day."

Chen Lingxi remembered Chu Zhuo's colossal sword, a thousand feet long, as imposing as a mountain.

"The other person is Xu Sanchi, who ranks second on the Mystic Immortal Ranking."

Chen Lingxi had also seen this person on the Immortal Ranking.

What are these two people doing here?

Chen Lingxi was somewhat puzzled. He slowly got up, parted the water curtain, and walked out of the cave abode.

Outside the curtain of water, the sunlight was just right.

The two figures slowly descended from the sea of clouds outside Deer-Sleeping Peak and stood below the stone steps in front of the Water-Curtain Cave.

Chu Zhuo was quite tall with broad shoulders and a long sword at his waist.

His sword intent was like a bottomless ancient well, profound and unfathomable, yet it also subtly exuded a murderous intent, making it incredibly terrifying.

Standing beside him, Xu Sanchi had a completely different appearance.

He was slightly thin, with a handsome face, and dressed in white.

His sword intent emanated from his body, undisguised and unrestrained, as if someone had planted a drawn sword into the sky and earth, causing the surrounding clouds to retreat in fear.

He was the second on the Immortal Ranking, second only to Zhu Mi, while Chen Lingxi's ranking was still below Xu Sanchi.

At this moment, Xu Sanchi stood in place, his gaze sweeping lightly over the Green Bamboo in front of the Water-Curtain Cave before landing on Chen Lingxi's face.

Chu Zhuo bowed first and asked, "Is this Junior Brother Yuan?"

Chen Lingxi returned the greeting. "It is indeed Primordial Spirit Bearer. Senior Brother Chu, what brings you here?"

Chu Zhuo took out a jade box from his sleeve, presented it with both hands, and said calmly, "I have come to your door today to ask you for a favor."

Chen Lingxi remained calm and accepted the jade box.

Chu Zhuo continued, "My junior nephew, Xu Sanchi, has been practicing swordsmanship for a long time and is now ranked second on the Immortal Ranking."

He possesses extraordinary talent, and his sword intent is nearing completion.

"But lately he has been stuck on one hurdle, unable to move forward."

Therefore, I want to find him a master swordsman with exceptional skill, to discuss swordsmanship with swords, and to overcome obstacles with swordsmanship.

He paused slightly, his gaze falling on Chen Lingxi: "Many of us from Sword-Illuminating Mystic Peak have seen Junior Brother break through the combined forces of several people with a single sword strike before the Dragon-Transformation Immortal Ranking."

The Jade Tiger Sea-Reversing Sword Light violent Killing Power, capable of shattering all laws with a single strike. From what I observed, it bore a resemblance to the Jade Tiger Marquis of Thunder Pool.

"Furthermore, since you and my nephew are both at the Dao Foundation Early Stage First Profound Realm, perhaps it would be appropriate for Junior Uncle to have a match with my junior brother."

"Not for victory or defeat, but for the debate on swordsmanship."

"What does Junior Uncle think?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Lingxi did not reply immediately.

He lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on the jade box, and then infused it with a wisp of Divine Sense.

As soon as the jade box was opened, a clear, radiant light flowed out from within.

The source of that radiance was a precious jewel about the size of a finger joint.

The pearl was entirely blue-green, with a layer of warm and tranquil spiritual light flowing across it.

Chen Lingxi used the method of Qi Observation to look inside, and saw that there was a faint sword intent inside the pearl.

"This is the Sword Embryo Pearl."

Chu Zhuo spoke, his tone frank. "This bead can be integrated into a cultivator's personal spiritual sword to enhance the sword's grade and nourish its spiritual essence."

"If Junior Uncle can have a match with Junior Brother Xu, regardless of the outcome, this pearl will belong to the victor."

Chen Lingxi the jade box, still considering it.

Xu Sanchi, who had been standing to the side, finally couldn't help but speak up.

He shook his head slightly.

"Uncle-Master Chu, this matter concerns my swordsmanship training, and I would like to contribute something as well."

He took something out of his sleeve and held it in his palm.

It was a small, golden cage.

The cage was no bigger than a fist, and its entire body was woven from some kind of dark gold thread, with countless runes engraved on it in layers.

The runes interlocked and echoed each other, locking all the energy inside and outside the cage within.

There was nothing else in the cage.

But when Chen Lingxi looked into the cage using the method of Qi Observation, he could see a faint spiritual energy slowly flowing within it.

"This is one of my third-grade Spirit Artifact, named [Sword-Nurturing Cage]."

Xu Sanchi spoke, his gaze falling on the green Green Bamboo in front of the Water-Curtain Cave.

"I noticed that there are several Green Bamboo growing in front of Junior Uncle's cave abode."

This bamboo is of high quality. If it could be nourished by my Sword-Nurturing Cage, it should mature into a useful timber in just a few years.

"I will use this as the prize for today's sword duel."

Having said this, his gaze returned to Chen Lingxi, and he suddenly said, "I wonder if Junior Uncle would be willing to offer some prize money as well?"

In terms of seniority, Chen Lingxi was a disciple of True Person Xiang Shu Deer-Sleeping Peak, and thus Xu Sanchi's senior uncle.

But now, standing before Chen Lingxi's cave abode, he brazenly proposed a sword duel and demanded that Chen Lingxi offer a "prize" to compete.

Especially... at this moment, Xu Sanchi's body was filled with sword intent, like a layer of sharpness standing against the wind, which made the light in front of the Water-Curtain Cave slightly messy.

Extremely impolite!

Chen Lingxi stood silently in place.

Why is Xu Sanchi so rude?

He had only recently returned to the mountain when his second Profound Root sprouted. He needed to take this time to rest and recuperate, slowly nurturing the Jade-Colored Profound Root to make it strong, so that it could be planted on the Dao Platform in the future.

But at this moment, looking at Xu Sanchi standing below the stone steps, and at the undisguised, somewhat weary, disdain on his lips, a surge of anger slowly welled up within him.

"This person came to my cave abode to discuss swordsmanship."

"Such disrespect, such rudeness..."

Chen Lingxi felt a growing anger rising within her.

He suppressed his surging anger and slowly opened his mouth, his tone calm. "Junior Nephew Xu has taken out a third-grade Spirit Artifact as a prize for our sword duel!"

"I am of a higher generation than you. Today you have offered a third-grade Spirit Artifact as a prize. If I cannot produce something comparable to your Sword-Nurturing Cage, how can I possibly compete with you in swordsmanship?"

He took out two Spirit Artifact from the Hongdong Bag.

One of them is a three-inch-long, dark-colored flying shuttle.

Secondly, there was a grayish-blue imperial edict.

"These two items are neither ordinary, so let's use them as the prize."

Xu Sanchi looked at the flying shuttle and imperial edict in his palm and shook his head slightly.

The nonchalant disgust in his expression finally disappeared, replaced by an undisguised disappointment.

"Junior Uncle."

He began, "The Sword-Nurturing Cage is a third-grade Spirit Artifact. Does Junior Uncle know how precious a third-grade Spirit Artifact is?"

"Such a Spirit Artifact is something that even an ordinary Dao Foundation Realm cultivator in Sword-Illuminating Mystic Peak might not be able to obtain even after a hundred years of hard work."

While Junior Uncle's two treasures were both extraordinary, they were only of the fourth rank, and they weren't particularly outstanding in the video.

"Using a fourth-rank official against a third-rank official is probably inappropriate."

As he spoke, he stood up again.

A faint sword intent rose from his body. "If Junior Uncle cannot offer a prize commensurate with my Sword-Nurturing Cage, I'm afraid I will not wish to compete with this sword."

Chu Zhuo stood to the side, remaining silent.

He looked at Chen Lingxi, his eyes calm and revealing no emotion.

Chen Lingxi slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

He didn't answer, but simply raised his head and looked at Xu Sanchi.

What kind of prize do you want?

Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Xu Sanchi's eyes.

He took a small step forward and said:

"I heard that Uncle Shen Xiu'an of Deer-Sleeping Peak once personally sought out a rare fortuitous opportunity for you, Junior Uncle."

"That fortuitous opportunity is no less valuable than my Sword-Nurturing Cage."

"If Junior Uncle is willing to use this fortuitous opportunity as a prize, it would be quite appropriate."

Upon hearing this, Chen Lingxi shook his head and said, "Senior Brother Shen has not yet returned, so how can I know if that fortuitous opportunity is mine?"

"If Senior Brother Shen hadn't brought that fortuitous opportunity back, I would just consider it bad luck. Junior Uncle, you don't need to worry about it. My third-grade Spirit Artifact is still among the prizes," Xu Sanchi said.

Chen Lingxi's anger surged even more, and he was about to agree.

But then, he suddenly realized that something was wrong.

"My temperament has been tempered by the many tribulations of the Weiji Grotto-Heaven, and I can already be described as calm and composed. So why am I so impatient today? Why am I so angry over such a trivial matter?"

Xu Sanchi's visit to discuss swordsmanship, Chu Zhuo's proposal, the Sword-Nurturing Cage, the dispute over the prize...

None of this is a big deal.

But he was extremely angry.

Thinking of this, Chen Lingxi lowered her eyes.

When he looked up again, the anger in his eyes had subsided.

"It's so strange. Something seems to be pulling at my emotions, making me inexplicably angry. I almost agreed to Xu Sanchi's request."

Chen Lingxi's mind raced.

Just then, Xu Sanchi and Chu Zhuo also saw Chen Lingxi's eyes gradually calming down.

Chu Zhuo shook his head slightly.

Xu Sanchi sighed inwardly, "I didn't expect this junior uncle to have such a strong will. Senior Brother Zhou's [Raging Tide Law] great Divine Ability was only maintained for such a short time."

"If I could hold out a little longer and get this junior uncle to agree, perhaps I could thus..."

Xu Sanchi was taken aback.

But at that moment, Chen Lingxi's eyes suddenly flickered, and his gaze fell on Xu Sanchi. Then, to Xu Sanchi's surprise, he slowly nodded.

"Alright!"

"Let's use that one stroke of fortuitous opportunity as the prize!"

Xu Sanchi was taken aback at first, then his eyes flashed with intense golden light.

His sword intent surged, and rolling Sword Qi flowed from his body. At this moment, his eyes seemed to be filled with hope.

It's as if we can defeat Chen Lingxi right away and seize that fortuitous opportunity immediately!