Dao Lord: Starting from a Top-grade Golden Core

Chapter 121: Chapter 79: Skills End Here

The Central Pillar of Shenzhou, the Upper Profound Orthodox Sect.

Li Changfeng was escorted by a crowd of Upper Profound Sect disciples to the Dueling Platform. Along the way, more and more disciples heard the commotion and gathered, until the area below the small platform was packed solid.

He frowned slightly, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind about the assurances he’d received from the Upper Profound Sect disciple. But at this point, he couldn’t back down. He stepped onto the Dueling Platform, took his position, and faced the disciple opposite him. Cupping his hands in a small salute, he said, "Tai Su, Li Changfeng."

The Upper Profound Sect disciple’s expression turned solemn. He returned the salute and said, "Upper Profound Sect, Mo Fei Dao."

After announcing their names, they wasted no more words. Mo Fei Dao rose into the air, and with a slight tremor of his body, a banner materialized behind him. It fluttered in the wind, emblazoned with three golden clouds. As Mo Fei Dao formed a Magic Formula, he pointed at the banner. A golden cloud streamed from the flag’s surface and drifted down.

Although Mo Fei Dao didn’t believe anyone could truly compare to his sect’s Junior Martial Uncle Zhong Shenxiu, he dared not underestimate a Top-Grade Golden Core Mage renowned throughout the Divine Continent. Thus, even when facing his disciple, he remained cautious, resolving to first probe his opponent’s techniques.

Seeing Mo Fei Dao take a defensive, probing stance, Li Changfeng’s eyes flashed. ’A perfect opportunity,’ he thought.

In that instant, his body flickered, and he transformed into a streak of light, shooting into the sky to press the advantage of his Sword Escape. He ignored the descending golden cloud, easily dodging it. With a mere thought, his Moon Shadow Sword shot out as another beam of light, racing straight for Mo Fei Dao.

Mo Fei Dao frowned. ’A Sword Cultivator,’ he thought.

Seizing the initiative when dueling a Sword Cultivator was critical. Otherwise, once they unleashed their Swordsmanship, breaking free from their relentless, storm-like assault would be no easy feat.

But the situation was what it was, and Mo Fei Dao did not panic. A Sword Cultivator’s offense was fierce, but as long as he could withstand the assault and wait for an opening, he would have an instant opportunity to turn the tables. He activated his Magic Formula, and another golden cloud shot from the banner. When Li Changfeng’s sword light slashed up at it, the strike rang out with the sound of clashing metal. It was a mass of solidified golden qi.

Though his Flying Sword was blocked, Li Changfeng didn’t recall it. Instead, its speed suddenly surged as he unleashed a torrential display of Swordsmanship, his blade weaving all around Mo Fei Dao. The moment the slightest hint of an opening appeared, his sword would slash down.

Mo Fei Dao’s expression was composed as he manipulated the mass of golden qi with sublime skill. It circled his body to defend against the Sword Qi. At times it drifted slowly, at others it flickered erratically, but it unfailingly blocked Li Changfeng’s every attack.

Li Changfeng knew he had seized the initiative and could not afford to relinquish his advantage. Seeing that his attacks were failing to break through, he changed his Sword Technique, and the Sword Qi abruptly vanished without a trace.

Mo Fei Dao had only managed to defend against every one of Li Changfeng’s attacks by putting his entire focus into controlling the golden cloud. When the Sword Qi suddenly vanished into thin air, he was not pleased but alarmed. A sweep of his Spiritual Sense revealed nothing. ’Is this the legendary Formless Sword Qi?’ he thought.

Mo Fei Dao’s focus sharpened. Activating another Magic Formula, he recalled the golden cloud that had been pursuing Li Changfeng. The two golden clouds now circled his body without pause, forming an impenetrable defense.

Though Li Changfeng’s formless Sword Qi had yet to appear, its threat had forced Mo Fei Dao to recall the pursuing cloud. Li Changfeng immediately reversed course, appearing above Mo Fei Dao. He pointed a single finger, and streams of bone-chilling Sword Qi rose from behind his head, raining down like a volley of arrows.

Mo Fei Dao had been waiting for the Flying Sword to reappear, not this barrage of Sword Qi. He had no choice but to send one golden cloud upward, where it spread out like a canopy to block the attack from above.

It was an obvious ploy. Mo Fei Dao knew instantly that Li Changfeng had deliberately created this opening. Holding his breath and concentrating, he watched as one golden cloud flew up to block the Sword Qi. Just as he anticipated, the Moon Shadow Sword brazenly appeared on that side, transforming into a streak of light and plunging down to strike.

’So this is the extent of his skill!’ Instead of alarm, Mo Fei Dao felt a surge of joy. The last golden cloud on his banner immediately flew out to meet the Moon Shadow Sword.

Unexpectedly, Li Changfeng was simultaneously thinking the very same thing. ’So this is the extent of *his* skill!’ With a flick of his Sword Technique, the Moon Shadow Sword shimmered and split into two beams of light, which then dove down from separate directions.

"Splitting the Sword’s Light! How could he possibly have mastered such an Unparalleled Swordsmanship?"

Mo Fei Dao’s heart lurched. Faced with two incoming beams of light and only one golden cloud left, he froze, unsure which to intercept. There wasn’t enough time to recall his other defenses. Despair began to bloom in his chest, but at that moment, he was shocked to see that one beam of light was solid and the other was illusory, its blade flickering unsteadily.

’An Illusion Technique?’ Mo Fei Dao had no time to think. He sent the golden cloud straight toward the solid beam of light. But in that instant, the real and illusory properties of the two beams abruptly swapped. The apparently solid beam started to flicker and was instantly dispersed by the golden qi. The one that had been flickering, however, solidified, shot forward like a bolt of lightning, and came to a halt right before Mo Fei Dao’s neck.

It turned out not to be the Unparalleled Swordsmanship of Splitting the Sword’s Light, but the Virtual and Real Separation Swordsmanship passed down from Xuzhuang.

Before Mo Fei Dao could react, the Moon Shadow Sword turned with a SWOOSH and flew back to Li Changfeng’s side. It wasn’t recalled but continued to circle around him. Li Changfeng smiled, cupped his hands, and said, "Thank you for the match."

Mo Fei Dao’s mind was buzzing. He felt he still had a whole arsenal of techniques he hadn’t had time to use. All because of his caution, his opponent had seized the initiative and unleashed a torrential assault. The loss felt incredibly unjust... His expression shifted several times before he finally let out a long breath, banishing the distracting thoughts. He cupped his hands and said, "Your Swordsmanship, Brother... this junior is truly impressed."

Li Changfeng laughed heartily, only then recalling his Flying Sword and descending to the platform. "Brother, after you," he said.

Mo Fei Dao was in no mood for pleasantries and, without further ceremony, was the first to leave the Dueling Platform.

The moment the wards on the platform dissipated, countless Upper Profound Sect disciples surged forward. One of them was heard shouting, "Senior Brother Mo! How could you lose just like that? What about your Primordial Qi Refining Capturing Hand, the technique you excel at? And the Profound Truth Qi Clear Light?"

Another muttered sarcastically, "The other day when we disciples were sparring, Senior Brother Mo’s techniques seemed endless. I didn’t expect him to put on such a show for an outsider. They would’ve been better off choosing me..."

Another shouted, "Shut your mouth! Fellow Daoist Li’s Swordsmanship is extraordinary, his assault relentless. Senior Brother Mo couldn’t keep up. You think you could have been his match?"

A bitter taste filled Mo Fei Dao’s mouth. Forcing himself to look composed, he said, "My fellow brothers, my skills were lacking. I, Mo Fei Dao, apologize!"

Someone looked at Li Changfeng with admiration. "Fellow Daoist Li, have you actually mastered Splitting the Sword’s Light? Truly worthy of being the prized disciple of Daoist Master Miaomiao..."

Just then, the disciples on the outer edge of the crowd parted to form a path. A handsome Daoist whose eyes seemed to flash with lightning strode forward. He gave Mo Fei Dao a cool glance before turning to Li Changfeng and cupping his hands. "Fellow Daoist Li, I would also like to ask for your instruction."

Li Changfeng frowned. ’More trouble,’ he thought. As he was pondering his options, Mo Fei Dao stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Senior Brother, Brother Li and I had an agreement. If I lost, no one else would trouble him."

The Daoist’s eyebrows shot up. He sneered, "And how many of our fellow disciples did you ask before making such an agreement? Who gave you the right to represent the Upper Profound Sect? Not only that, you couldn’t even win. Now hurry up and get out of my way. Haven’t you brought enough shame to the sect?"

Mo Fei Dao’s face fell. "Regardless," he replied, "I already gave Brother Li my word. If you insist on challenging him, Senior Brother, then you must get past this junior brother first."

The Daoist sneered. "Fine, Junior Brother Mo. It seems you’ve become quite conceited after being granted the *Profound Truth Supreme Treasure Register*..."

Just as the tension was about to snap, Li Changfeng sighed inwardly. He was about to speak when he heard someone shouting from outside the throng, "Make way, make way!"

A disciple pushed his way through the crowd. Li Changfeng looked and saw it was the same Upper Profound Sect disciple who had earlier departed from the mountain gate on a crane.

The Upper Profound Sect disciple scanned the area, his face lighting up when he spotted Li Changfeng. "Fellow Daoist Li!" he exclaimed. "What are you doing all the way over here? I had quite a time looking for you. I’ve already reported the purpose of your visit, and Junior Martial Uncle Zhong has asked me to bring you to him."

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