A Mere Mortal Dares Contend with the Heavenly Dao?

Seeing Yang Hua's arrogant manner, the Prince of Heavenly Sea narrowed his eyes. This prince, who had the weakest backing in the imperial family and was held in the lowest regard, was no simple figure. The Commandery Princess of Heavenly Sea, meanwhile, was somewhat disdainful. This Qingyun prince was far too arrogant.

The screen of light in the sky shifted again, and Qin Yi took the field once more, facing Wu Pingjian. He had finally encountered the man he had wanted to fight.

Qin Yi held Cangyuan in his hand, while Wu Pingjian cradled Heavenly Flame in his arms. The two looked at each other, and Qin Yi spoke first. "Fellow Daoist, I look forward to your guidance."

Wu Pingjian nodded and said slowly, "You're very strong. I hope you won't disappoint me."

"That's what I'm hoping for too," Qin Yi said with a nod and a smile.

Without further talk, Qin Yi grabbed Cangyuan and charged at Wu Pingjian, who drew his sword at an unhurried pace. The instant the blade left its sheath, countless streams of Sword Qi took shape and shot toward Qin Yi.

Without slowing down, Qin Yi dodged the Sword Qi with a few swift movements and closed in on Wu Pingjian. Using the advantage of his spear's reach, Qin Yi suppressed him, but Wu Pingjian had inherited the Prince of Heavenly Sea's true teachings. How could he be so easily defeated?

As they fought, several streams of Sword Qi kept forming out of thin air around Wu Pingjian, forcing Qin Yi to put distance between them. Seeing that neither could gain the upper hand in close combat, the two drew apart in perfect accord.

Heavenly Flame floated above Wu Pingjian's head. Streams of fiery red Spiritual Qi gathered around the blade, turning into fiery red Sword Qi that circled him. A vortex of spiritual power instantly formed in the arena. Seeing this, Qin Yi sneered. Bolts of lightning coiled around his spear, and its tip turned purple as lightning gathered there, giving off a destructive presence.

"Blade Storm!"

"Nine Shas Mysterious Fire!"

The two struck at the same time. The Sword Qi unleashed by Wu Pingjian formed a storm that swirled toward Qin Yi, while Qin Yi hurled Cangyuan at Wu Pingjian like a bolt of lightning. The storm and lightning collided and locked in a stalemate for a moment before the lightning pierced through the storm. Qin Yi and Wu Pingjian both darted aside.

In the blink of an eye, the lightning reached the spot where Wu Pingjian had just stood. Countless bolts burst apart, forming a violent shockwave that sent him staggering. Qin Yi fared no better on the other side. Though he too had dodged, the Blade Storm exerted a powerful pull that slowed him considerably, and the scorching fire spiritual power even singed several strands of his hair.

Fighting spirit ignited in Qin Yi's eyes, and the same was true of Wu Pingjian. His talent made him nearly invincible among the younger generation of Heavenly Sea City, and some opponents dared not go all out against him out of regard for the Prince of Heavenly Sea. Today, the two of them would fight to their hearts' content.

Wu Pingjian flicked his sword and charged at Qin Yi once more. Qin Yi recalled Cangyuan, spun the spear, and went to meet him. Once again, the two clashed.

"He can actually fight Wu Pingjian to a standstill?"

"That's unbelievable! Wu Pingjian is hailed as the most talented person in the history of Heavenly Sea Commandery!"

"Damn, they're real monsters!"

"Both of them are holding back. It isn't time for the final showdown yet." Standing at the highest point, the Prince of Heavenly Sea offered his assessment. Wu Pingjian was his disciple, so he knew Wu Pingjian still had more in reserve. As for Qin Yi, anyone who could fight Wu Pingjian so fiercely for so long without falling behind was probably hiding something too.

The Commandery Princess of Heavenly Sea, standing beside him, was also surprised to see Qin Yi fight the disciple her father had always been so proud of for so long without falling behind. Was this guy really that strong?

The Prince of Heavenly Sea happened to notice the surprise on his daughter's face. Thinking too of how Qin Yi's talent was on par with Wu Pingjian's, an idea came to him. If I took Qin Yi as my son-in-law, wouldn't I have two great geniuses in my grasp?

Remembering that his daughter had personally delivered Qin Yi's invitation, the Prince of Heavenly Sea could not help but smile.

In the arena, Qin Yi and Wu Pingjian drew apart once more. They were at the same cultivation level, and there was little difference in their combat experience. The only thing that could decide the outcome now was the martial skills at their disposal. The same thought occurred to both of them.

Qin Yi planted his spear in the ground and asked, "Brother Wu, if we keep fighting like this, neither of us will be able to win. How about this? We each use one move and decide the outcome with a single exchange. What do you say?"

Wu Pingjian nodded. He had been thinking the same thing. There was little point in continuing to fight; in the end, they would only exhaust their spiritual power and draw.

Qin Yi grinned. "Make your move."

A faint smile finally appeared on Wu Pingjian's face. His sword then flew into the sky, where a vast vortex appeared. Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi rushed into the vortex, forming a pillar of spiritual power that poured into Heavenly Flame. Heavenly Flame became an enormous sword that seemed to hold up the heavens, its blade fiery red. By now, the whole sky had been dyed the same color.

Seeing this, Qin Yi gave a carefree smile and kicked Cangyuan into the air. Dark clouds instantly blanketed the sky, lightning flashed, and bolt after bolt struck the spear. Cangyuan was instantly wrapped in lightning, transforming into a spear formed from thunderbolts. Heavenly thunder rumbled, its divine might overwhelming the world.

Seeing the sky split into two halves, the spectators were stunned. Was this really something two Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivators could do?

The Prince of Heavenly Sea's mouth twitched as he murmured, "Monsters. They really are two monsters."

Wu Pingjian gazed at Qin Yi from afar and called out to him, "Brother Qin, if you can withstand this move, I'll admit defeat with all my heart."

"Sword Sweeps the Heavens, Flame Descent!"

As Wu Pingjian's words fell, the fiery red sword slowly descended toward Qin Yi.

Seeing the giant sword slash down at him, Qin Yi rose into the air. His pupils had turned deep blue, and arcs of electricity leaped in his eyes. When Qin Yi opened his mouth, a voice full of majesty rang throughout the heavens.

"A mere mortal dares contend with the Heavenly Dao?"

As Qin Yi's voice fell, the spear formed from lightning instantly became a lightning dragon. It coiled among the dark clouds, raised its head, and roared before charging at the giant sword. The sight was like a lightning tribulation descending upon the world, annihilating all living things.

Boom!!!