Dao Lord: Starting from a Top-grade Golden Core

Chapter 116: Chapter 76: Bound for the Clouds

On a Dueling Platform, the duel had reached a critical point, yet it didn’t seem particularly intense.

A young Daoist wearing a Five Directions Scarf and carrying a Sword Box on his back stood in the middle of the platform. No magical attacks came at him from any direction, yet he remained vigilant, manipulating a Blazing Eye Sword Light that guarded his body. Below, the few disciples watching were completely captivated, holding their breath and not daring to blink.

Suddenly, a sword light like a faint shadow of the moon materialized out of thin air, striking from an oblique angle. The young Daoist’s eyes flickered, and the sword light before him shot out to intercept it. The two blades clashed with a crisp clang, barely forcing the Moon Shadow Sword back. The young Daoist showed no joy; instead, his expression grew even more grave. He directed his sword light behind him, and instantly, the sound of clashing Flying Swords rang out again.

That sword light was truly like a shadow flitting under the moon—appearing and disappearing without a trace. It darted left and right, feinting in one direction while attacking another, avoiding solid defenses to strike at openings. Its movements grew swifter, its strikes heavier.

Soon, the young Daoist’s defensive perimeter shrank continuously. His gaze grew ever more solemn. He wielded his sword light to form a defense so tight not even a splash of water could get through, yet he still couldn’t repel the Moon Shadow Sword. Before long, it had backed him into a corner, leaving him mere inches of space.

Seeing the tide turn against him, the young Daoist decided on a temporary retreat. As his sword light parried another swift attack, he formed a Magic Formula with his hand, his body about to transform into light and flee. But at that exact moment, the Moon Shadow Sword stopped its evasive maneuvers. It seized the opportunity, spinning through the air in a fluid arc. The young Daoist’s Flying Sword was too slow to give chase, and the blade sliced off a corner of his robe.

The young Daoist halted, but a smile unexpectedly spread across his face. He shook his head and praised, "Junior Brother Li, your Swordsmanship has grown even more profound. I am no longer your match."

"Senior Brother Nangong, you flatter me." Li Changfeng materialized from thin air and let out a hearty laugh. "I merely had the advantage of my Formless Sword Qi. If you had used your true skills, I wouldn’t dare claim victory."

Senior Brother Nangong waved his hand. "You’re being too modest, Junior Brother. Your Swordsmanship has improved by leaps and bounds these past few years, and you’ve even mastered Formless Sword Qi. At this point, there must be very few among our peers in the sect whose Swordsmanship surpasses yours!"

The two of them walked off the Dueling Platform, chatting as they went. Hearing this, a nearby disciple’s eyes filled with envy. "With Junior Martial Uncle Xu’s personal guidance," he said, "it’s no wonder Senior Brother Li mastered Formless Sword Qi. In the future, it’s highly likely he’ll even master Unparalleled Swordsmanship techniques like Sword Qi Thunderous Roar or Light-Splitting and Rejoining."

Li Changfeng, however, simply cupped his hands in a gesture of respect and said, "It is indeed thanks to my master’s guidance that I was fortunate enough to master Formless Sword Qi."

The disciple, realizing his blunder, said guiltily, "Senior Brother Li, that’s not what I meant. All of us martial brothers know about your talent for Swordsmanship..."

Li Changfeng didn’t take offense. He smiled and was about to speak when his expression suddenly shifted. A streak of golden light shot out from the nearby woods—a Talisman Book that landed squarely in his hand.

Li Changfeng’s expression turned serious. He opened the Talisman Book with both hands and read it through carefully, a flicker of excitement in his eyes.

Sensing the change, Senior Brother Nangong asked, "Junior Brother Li, is something important happening?"

Li Changfeng put away the Talisman Book and nodded slightly. "My master has summoned me. Forgive me, but I can’t stay."

"What?" Hearing this, a nearby disciple’s eyes lit up with excitement, and he blurted out, "Senior Brother Li, is Junior Martial Uncle Xu really sending you to the Upper Profound Sect to deliver a challenge?"

Li Changfeng’s face fell. "Junior Brother, where did you hear that?"

The disciple was taken aback. He thought for a moment before replying, "That rumor’s been going around for a while now... I think one of the Xunze disciples heard it from a spirit beast at Junior Martial Uncle Xu’s estate."

Li Changfeng frowned. "That’s not true. Don’t spread that rumor any further, Junior Brother."

The disciple stammered his assent. Li Changfeng nodded, bade farewell to the others with a cupped-fist salute, and hurriedly departed on his stream of sword light.

—

After flying through clouds and mist, Li Changfeng landed on the steps below the summit of Chongyun Peak. He straightened his robes slightly before ascending the steps to the peak.

Seeing the main gate of the cave residence was already open, Li Changfeng didn’t dare to linger and quickly entered the main hall. When he saw Jiaolong Lieyun already waiting there, he rushed forward to greet him, calling out, "Junior Martial Uncle Lieyun."

Lieyun had been lazing about, but he instantly straightened up when he heard Li Changfeng address him as "Junior Martial Uncle." He gave a dignified nod and replied, "Ah, Nephew..."

Just then, an almost imperceptible breeze swept through. Lieyun shuddered, only to see that Xuzhuang had appeared on the head seat at some point. He quickly called out, "Master."

Li Changfeng also bowed deeply and said respectfully, "Your disciple, Changfeng, pays his respects to Master."

Xuzhuang accepted his bow and bade him rise. "Changfeng," he asked, "are you prepared for your journey?"

Li Changfeng replied, "Your disciple has long been prepared."

Xuzhuang nodded slightly. From his sleeve, he produced a letter and a jade box. "In that case," he said, "you may depart."

"You are to deliver this letter into Zhong Shenxiu’s hands." Xuzhuang handed both the letter and the jade box to Li Changfeng, instructing, "This jade box is a gift for Zhong Shenxiu; you will deliver it on my behalf as well."

"Your disciple obeys." Li Changfeng accepted the letter and the jade box, stored them away carefully, and then bowed his head to the floor once more. Only then did he rise and respectfully take his leave.

Seeing this, Lieyun bounded forward and landed on Li Changfeng’s shoulder. He cupped his claws toward Xuzhuang and called out, "Master, this little beast is going too."

Xuzhuang said no more. With a wave of his sleeve, he said, "Go."

The man and the jiaolong performed one last salute before leaving the cave residence together.

Before Xuzhuang entered seclusion, the few Daoist Children at his estate had gradually grown up. Xuzhuang credited them with a measure of good deeds and sent them on their way, so the estate had now returned to a state of peaceful quiet.

’I shouldn’t have to keep handling these mundane affairs myself,’ Xuzhuang thought. ’But I can’t rest easy appointing just any Manager to the estate... If only I could obtain a Treasure Child.’

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