Dao Lord: Starting from a Top-grade Golden Core

Chapter 187: Chapter 111: Sect Tournament, Profound Yellow Changes (Part 2)

With another shake of the golden bell, the match officially began, no announcement needed.

However, since this was an internal sect match, neither was in a hurry to seize the initiative. They exchanged a bow before making their moves in unison.

Ling Donglai flicked his sleeve, and streaks of rainbow light shot out from within. There were thirty-six in total. Sixteen flew out to the four corners, hovering in place to establish a formation, while the other twenty shot toward Zhou Jun.

"The thirty-six Miaoxuan Shuttles! To think Senior Brother Ling would use this treasure right from the start. It seems no one can afford to be careless in the top-eight matches." The disciple who greatly admired Ling Donglai took a few steps forward, leaning on the pavilion railing. "I wonder how Junior Brother Zhou will respond?"

Just as the disciple had said, the thirty-six Miaoxuan Shuttles were Ling Donglai’s signature Magical Artifact. He had cultivated the Tai Su True Form Scripture to a profound level, allowing his Magical Power to shift and flow with myriad transformations. This was what enabled him to command the thirty-six shuttles as if they were his own limbs. While not quite on par with a Sword Cultivator’s ability to divide their sword light, it was still a formidable technique.

Furthermore, the thirty-six Miaoxuan Shuttles could do more than just fly and attack. As expected, Ling Donglai’s shuttles assaulted Zhou Jun in unison. However, Zhou Jun summoned a beam of escape light to dodge and weave, and the shuttles seemed unable to land a hit. Ling Donglai simply smiled faintly and pointed, executing a Magic Formula. Sharp lines of light shot from both ends of each shuttle, instantly weaving together like a web. A Celestial Net formed, ensnaring Zhou Jun and cutting off all his escape routes.

"Brilliant!" The disciple clapped his hands together sharply. "Junior Brother Zhou has fallen into the trap. The match is decided!"

Yuan Hao thought to himself, ’Not necessarily.’

Sure enough, after dodging within the Celestial Net for only a few moments, Zhou Jun was forced into a corner. But instead of panicking, he let out a long laugh. "Senior Brother Ling, your shuttles are truly magnificent! I suppose I can’t hold back any longer."

Ling Donglai’s expression grew serious as he braced himself. He saw Zhou Jun give his shoulders a shake, and a magnificent, blinding white light erupted from his back. It swept forward, instantly severing the threads of the shuttle-woven net. The light grazed a few shuttles that couldn’t evade in time, producing a loud CLANG.

Ling Donglai’s face fell. He reached out and beckoned, recalling the affected shuttles to his hand. One look confirmed his fears: their golden gleam had dimmed. The Magical Artifact was damaged.

Before Ling Donglai could even process his shock, Zhou Jun activated his escape light and appeared before him in a flash. Another scorching beam of fiery light shot out from his back.

In a Flying Pavilion high in the sky, Sun Suzhen was seated commandingly in the main seat, flanked by his friends Yan Renhe and Zhe Junyang. As they sipped tea and watched the match, Yan Renhe sighed. "Both of these contestants have perfected their cultivation and possess profound Daoist techniques. Our sect has so many talented youths."

Yan Renhe had been cultivating in Yunmeng Marsh for a good number of years. He held the title of Guest Minister in Sun Suzhen’s manor, serving as an Artifact Master in the Celestial Craft Hall and refining Magical Artifacts for the Tai Su Orthodox Sect in exchange for cultivation resources. That was why he referred to it as "the sect."

Hearing this, Zhe Junyang laughed. "These are disciples from the top eight of the Inner Sect Grand Competition. According to what others in the sect are saying, they’re contenders for a Top-grade Golden Core and are expected to make it onto the Dragon and Tiger List. A skill level like this is to be expected."

Sun Suzhen let out a hearty laugh and was about to reply when he suddenly looked up. A streak of light shot across the heavens, a rainbow beam that traveled from the horizon to a spot above the arena in an instant. A flash of joy crossed his face. He pointed a finger toward the sky, sending out a message.

The rainbow streak was about to descend when it received the message. It spun in mid-air and, a moment later, arrived inside the Flying Pavilion. When it touched down, it splashed out brilliant rays of light that bounced and shimmered like jade pearls scattering across a platter.

Sun Suzhen rose to his feet, clasped his hands, and smiled. "Junior Brother Xu, it’s been a long time."

As the light faded, a Sword Hat Daoist appeared. A red gourd at his waist swayed with his unhurried steps. He walked into the pavilion with his hands clasped behind his back and smiled. "Senior Brother Sun, long time no see."

"Junior Brother Xu!"

"Fellow Daoist Xu."

Upon seeing Xuzhuang, both Zhe Junyang and Yan Renhe were overjoyed. They rose to pay their respects. Xuzhuang, not one to put on airs, returned their greetings with a smile. As he walked to Sun Suzhen’s side, a Daoist Child hurried over with a Cangyun Wood armchair. Xuzhuang offered a casual word of thanks before taking his seat.

After Xuzhuang entered the pavilion, Sun Suzhen remained silent, his eyes fixed on Xuzhuang. Only after Xuzhuang was seated did he suddenly ask, "Junior Brother Xu, have you... formed your Nascent Soul?"

His question stunned everyone in the pavilion, and all eyes turned to Xuzhuang. With no intention of being coy, Xuzhuang smiled and replied, "I made some progress during my seclusion and was fortunate enough to form my Nascent Soul."

Xuzhuang’s journey to the Celestial Waterfall Realm had been a secret mission assigned by Daochen Zhenren. The official story was that he was entering seclusion to cultivate. After several decades, Sun Suzhen and his friends simply assumed Xuzhuang was in deep, arduous seclusion to form his Nascent Soul, so they never grew suspicious.

Hearing this, Sun Suzhen said with deep feeling, "Junior Brother, you were in seclusion for decades and truly managed to form your Nascent Soul. It just goes to show that talent and diligence are both indispensable." He then clasped his hands in a formal gesture. "Congratulations on forming your Nascent Soul, Junior Brother."

The others all offered their congratulations in unison. Xuzhuang accepted with a smile. "Thank you all for the well wishes," he said after a moment. "I’ll host a banquet at my estate for everyone later. For now, let’s get back to watching the competition."

"Quite right, quite right."

The group turned their attention back to the arena just in time to see Zhou Jun and Ling Donglai exchange several more blows before Ling Donglai was finally defeated. Xuzhuang commented, "This young man’s cultivation progress is quite fast, and he hasn’t neglected his Daoist techniques. He’s truly a promising talent."

The others were somewhat surprised. They hadn’t expected Xuzhuang to be aware of the sect’s newer disciples after being in seclusion for so long.

Of course, they didn’t know that Zhou Jun’s arrival in the Profound Yellow Realm and his acceptance into the Tai Su Orthodox Sect by Daochen Zhenren had happened right before the eyes of Xuzhuang and Sun Suzhen. They certainly wouldn’t forget him. Hearing Xuzhuang’s comment, Sun Suzhen chuckled. "Indeed. I’m very optimistic he can go another two or three rounds in this competition."

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