Xianye

Chapter 540 Confrontation
Suddenly, a bright red light appeared in front of him, like flames dancing wildly in the wind, rising up in a surging motion.

But when you get close, you don't feel pain or burning sensation. Instead, it feels like you're immersing your skin in warm water, with a gentle warmth spreading through you.

At this moment, Yin Ruohua handed over a small bronze fish that looked as if it were cast in bronze, with a fire bell in its mouth.

Meeting Chen Heng's gaze, Yin Ruohua took a small step forward and smiled:

"It is thanks to Master Chen's help that I have been able to survive until now. With my supernatural powers, it is already extremely fortunate that I can be ranked among the top ten. I am unworthy of the title. What follows is beyond my control."

Rather than letting this bronze fish go to someone else for nothing, let's do a favor and have Master Chen remember today's events."

It is said that one's own family knows one's own affairs.

The Dan Yuan True Persons who remain in this Imperial Map of the State are none of those she, Yin Ruohua, can rival.

Even if she mastered the supreme divine power of the Blood-Slaying Needle, it wouldn't be of much use, and she wouldn't be able to reverse the situation...

"Furthermore, I do not wish to suffer too much damage in this battle and deplete too much of my energy."

My choice of the Blood Refining Needle technique is not out of a desire to be unconventional, but rather because this method resonates strongly with a lineage of techniques within my Qi Wu Yin clan, and they can perhaps mutually reinforce each other, achieving a balance of Yin and Yang.

Yin Ruohua paused, then continued, a hint of helplessness in her eyes:

"Now that all matters are settled, I need to return to my clan for secluded cultivation. There's no need to waste my progress on a battle that's destined to be fruitless. It's the right thing to withdraw as soon as possible."

The lineage of the Qi Wu Yin clan?
Chen Heng's eyes flickered, and he nodded slightly, without asking any further questions.

"But Master Yin, aren't you afraid your brother will take offense at your actions?"

he asked.

"How could the competition for the title of Dan Yuan champion be decided by this mere bronze fish in my hand?"

Yin Ruohua couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this:

"According to the regulations, the Dan Yuan Zhenren who occupy the top ten positions still need to fight within the map for a month. After a month, the rankings will be determined by the judge and the elders in charge, based on the number of bronze fish they have left and their performance in battle."

This is enough time for you and your brother to fight it out and settle the score!

"But if I were to go to find my brother on my own, I'm afraid I would be ambushed and killed halfway there..."

After saying this, he saw that Chen Heng was not coy or pretentious and thanked him politely.

Yin Ruohua felt inexplicably uncomfortable and blinked.

"If we're talking about finding fault, I'm afraid my brother already started to find fault while I was traveling with you..."

She muttered a sentence to herself, then thought of Yin Wuji's usual way of doing things and couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

Given Yin Wuji's unrestrained and carefree nature, he would likely embellish her story and tell it to the clan for their amusement.

And that joke about communicating with Gu Yi and Wei Lingjiang might not really be a joke.
"It is truly an undeserved disaster, but the innocent will remain innocent. Even if Xiao Gu is shallow, she shouldn't blame me, since I am on her side."

But wasn't she just about to fight to the death with this Master Chen? How come after the Ganliu Medicine Garden incident, although she still calls him a brat, her attitude seems to have subtly changed?

Thinking of this, Yin Ruohua was slightly puzzled, and her thoughts unconsciously wandered elsewhere.

Before she could think further, Chen Heng solemnly bowed and smiled slightly, saying:

"I am not willing to accept Master Yin's kindness for nothing. If there are any difficult matters in the future, and if there is anything I can do to help, I hope you will not hesitate to tell me."

Hearing Chen Heng's sincere tone, he realized there was no trace of pretense in his words.

Yin Ruohua smiled upon hearing this, her slender eyes narrowed slightly, and a dimple appeared on her cheek.

After exchanging a few polite words, he didn't linger. With a flick of his wrist, he flew away beyond the clouds and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"Second one."

Chen Heng took the Fire Bell Copper Fish he had received earlier in his hand, and with just a glance, he channeled his magic power and sent it flying upwards.

By this time, the vapor of the chemical process had already dissipated. Even though Yin Ruohua had left, the bronze fish did not escape. Instead, it remained obediently held in Chen Heng's palm, motionless.

As the magical power flowed in, the bronze fish continuously emitted clear chimes, like a jade chime being slowly struck, the sound reverberating through the trees, crisp and melodious.

This scene was witnessed by the cultivators outside.

Dan Yuan Zhenren is the first person in the current Imperial Altar Map to obtain the second bronze fish.

Chen Heng naturally became the focus of attention, sparking much discussion...

……

"This Dan Yuan Grand Assembly in Xudu Heaven is quite interesting. None of the top ten Dan Yuan are mediocre. Even the Blood Rage Divine Needle should not be underestimated."

"Is the Heavenly Fortune truly so abundant that so many Dao Seeds can emerge from just one Grand Competition?"

Inside a lotus-shaped flying palace, several people sat upright on jade altars, surrounded by colorful light and mysterious energy, making it clear at a glance that they were enlightened masters with extraordinary bearing.

One of the middle-aged Taoist priests, with a full forehead and a sallow complexion, suddenly sighed. He clapped his hands and shook his head at his companions, saying:
"Especially Chen Heng, who caught the fish first, is skilled in both thunder magic and swordsmanship, and also has a powerful physical body. He seems to have some talent in divination."

All of this suddenly reminded me of another Golden Elixir Master?

"The Dharma Saint Heaven... that Lin Shulong who recently received the Heavenly Conferment, the 'Dongzhen Register,' and became the top scholar in the Daoist examination!"

A giant man with dragon horns on his forehead, standing at least ten zhang tall, and wearing a light brown pine-patterned Taoist robe, sighed inexplicably and replied:
“I once met Lin Shulong and know that his most proficient supernatural abilities are thunder magic and swordsmanship. In this respect, Lin Shulong and this Chen Heng, the True Man, are quite similar?”

Upon hearing this, the cultivators on the jade altar became somewhat interested and each expressed their own opinions.

It's no wonder they acted this way; it's rare to encounter two immortal talents whose supernatural abilities are so similar, and their positions have been irreconcilable from the very beginning.

We will not mention the matter of Xia Ji expelling all the Jade Emperor Dao lineages from the Heavenly Law Saint.

Anyone with eyes to see knows that, given the current situation, unless some major unforeseen event occurs, a fierce battle is bound to break out between the Dharma Saint and Xu Du and the other great beings of the mortal world, with little room for reconciliation between the two sides.

Given Chen Heng and Lin Shulong's status, they will inevitably have to clash in the future!
However, when a yellow-robed monk subtly brought up the matter of taking sides...

A woman with silver hair, leaning on a nine-section bamboo cane, and looking very old shook her head slightly.

She lightly poked the altar with her bamboo cane, making a sound, before interrupting the conversation.

"How can such a thing be discussed openly? Don't forget, we are now in Xudu, not in Yanxiantian."

The old woman stood up, looked around, and said calmly:
"The great river flows eastward; how can fish and shellfish go against the current? They live by going with the current; why should they choose?"

Regardless of how far the battle between the Dharma Saint and Xu Du, these great heavenly generals, may go, we can only act according to the times. We must not harbor any improper thoughts; preserving our lives is the first priority, and only then can we consider other matters!

After the old woman uttered these words, the atmosphere in the room suddenly became much heavier, and the sallow-faced Taoist who had spoken first became even more disheartened.

The people in this palace are all native cultivators of Yanxian Heaven, some are sect elders, and some are members of the royal family of the dynasty. In short, they hold important positions and are not insignificant.

It was only after being invited by the elders of Xu Dutian that such a person would put aside all his affairs and come to Jichuan to witness the ceremony.

Yanxian Heaven is not far from the Dharma Saint, and the various sects within Yanxian Heaven have always been obedient to the Dharma Saint, daring not to disobey. However, given the current situation, with the eight sects and six schools openly inviting them to witness the ceremony, the cultivators of Yanxian dare not refuse, and it is impossible to completely break off relations.

After much deliberation, they had no choice but to send a group of prominent cultivators, secretly carrying generous gifts and money, for fear that the eight sects and six factions would find fault with this matter and allow them to come knocking on their door under any pretext.

Being sandwiched between these two colossal mountains, survival is truly difficult, and even breathing is a struggle...

"Right now, not only is Yanxian in an awkward situation, but Xuanlei and Lingdu are in the same predicament."

Fellow Daoists, there is no need to worry too much. Perhaps in the future, some important figure will take it a step in and mediate.

After all, if the matter of the Dharma Saint is true, then with the involvement of various forces, it would surely be a catastrophe second only to the collapse of the Dao Court, causing further destruction to the universe!

Although the old woman herself didn't believe it, she still offered a few words of comfort, then shook her head and said:

"Let's not talk about this anymore. Since the Eight Sects and Six Schools have invited us to witness the ceremony, let's just be good spectators for now."

The Dan Yuan Zhenren in this Huang Lao She Ji Tu will surely become high-ranking officials in Xu Du, adorned with gold and purple robes. Isn't one of the generous gifts we brought prepared for these Daoist disciples?
If we can truly befriend them, they might even speak up for us when a great calamity strikes!

The cultivators on the jade altar nodded secretly upon hearing this, clearly sharing the same thought.

"A tiny, weak, and isolated nation, it is at the mercy of others, with no control over its own actions, which is truly lamentable!"

The sallow-faced Taoist sighed inwardly, then his gaze shifted to Chen Heng, who was refining the bronze fish, and he began to have some thoughts.

"When Lin Shulong achieved the title of the top scholar in the imperial examination, the patriarch ordered me to take the copper ring from the sect to congratulate him."

"The Ancestor brought out a ring and a plate from the Gate of Myriad Wonders back then. The bronze ring has already been given to Lin Shulong, but for this ceremony in Xudu, the Ancestor instructed me to bring the jade plate to congratulate the leader of the Danyuan sect..."

The sallow-faced Taoist's eyes flickered:
"Who will get this treasure?"
Chen Heng, Yin Wuji... or that Yu Huangshang?

Just as the cultivators of Yanxian were deep in thought, and the cultivators from Xuanlei and Lingdu who came to witness the ceremony were also mostly present.

In a waterside pavilion, the atmosphere was rather subtle.

A middle-aged man with an ancient appearance, wearing a sky-blue Taoist robe, had a strange expression on his face.

His gaze fell on Chen Heng, and he hesitated several times before finally breaking the silence when a young man in a red robe spoke up.

"Fourth Uncle, should we inform the clan about this matter?"

The young man in the red robe hesitated.

"..."

The middle-aged man fell silent for a moment.

He was an elder of the Qi Wu Yin clan. Although he was not of the direct lineage, he was able to achieve enlightenment thanks to the support of Yin Wuji's lineage. Therefore, he came to this Dan Yuan Conference to protect Yin Wuji and Yin Ruohua.

But the current situation was quite unexpected.

Whether it was Yin Ruohua catching the fish or her assisting Chen Heng in assassinating Chen Bai, both left the middle-aged man utterly astonished…

"Serve me the pen and ink; I must inform the clan after all."

The middle-aged man was also in a state of complex emotion, unsure of what to do.

Having finished refining the bronze fish, Chen Heng didn't linger. He unleashed a sword light and soared into the air.

The middle-aged man silently withdrew his gaze, sighed inexplicably, and his expression became very solemn:

"However, I think this person is probably a formidable opponent for Wuji, even stronger than Yu Huangshang!"

……

……

Just as Chen Heng was heading towards the location of the Great Cave Jade, at the same moment, inside the Imperial Map of the State.

On the edge of a vast swamp, Wei Lingjiang suddenly stood with his hand on his sword, stopping deep in the azure sky.

Dozens of miles in front of her was a writhing, churning, eerie crimson cloud that shrouded the mountain peaks.

Countless blood spirits rolled and swirled in the clouds, moving like lightning. Various loud laughter and howling sounds echoed mournfully for a long time, sending chills down people's spines and making them feel as if they had fallen into an ice cave!

Seeing that he was facing off against Wei Lingjiang, Lü Rong, deep within the Crimson Clouds, was also slightly surprised.

Then he opened his divine eyes, looked around, wiped his face with his hand, and closed his eyes again.

"This aura is similar to the 'No Thought, No Binding, Complete Life Seal' of Huzhao. It seems that Master Wei previously faced off against Gu Yi and even defeated her?"

Lu Rong stood with his hands behind his back, a hint of regret in his voice:
"As expected of a first-grade Golden Core cultivator, I have heard of Gu Yi's combat skills even in the far south. It is a pity that I missed the chance to fight her this time."

Wei Lingjiang shook his head: "Although I defeated her, she has a superb escape technique and is not out of the game yet."

Lu Rong nodded thoughtfully.

After thinking for a moment, he unusually bowed and said:
"It has been something I have longed to do for a long time. Now that we have met on a narrow path, I have no choice but to offend you."

However, I had some acquaintance with Chen Heng during our travels in outer space.

"For your sake, Master Wei, I'll allow you a break to recover your strength; I won't deceive you because your magic power hasn't fully recovered."

"..."

Wei Lingjiang did not answer, but his face turned serious, and a sharp glint appeared in his eyes.

Another place.

Half a day later.

Suddenly, a sword light flashed in the clouds, and then Chen Heng's figure appeared from it.

The towering pillar of light stood majestically before him, clearly less than a hundred miles away. Yet, Chen Heng ceased his flight and instead descended from the clouds, standing atop the peak.

Not far from him, a hundred array flags were arranged in the air, overlapping each other, seemingly forming some kind of mysterious formation.

The mighty golden wind was drawn down and howled incessantly throughout the flag gate, surging and swaying like waves!
This formation stood precisely between Chen Heng and the Great Cave Essence Jade.

Noticing Chen Heng's gaze, a figure slowly emerged from the depths of the gate, chuckled, and said:
"I thought it would be Zhou Fujia, that sword madman, who would break my formation, but I didn't expect it to be you, Brother Chen. What a coincidence."

"It is indeed a good set of magical artifacts."

Chen Heng glanced at the hundred battle flags and said:
"However, Brother Yin has only left behind an avatar here, so I'm afraid it will be difficult for him to use the power of the magic weapon to stop me."

"Just delaying them for a moment or two will suffice."

Yin Wuji smiled as he stepped out of the flag gate:
"Once I've dealt with those few, I'll come in my true form to fight you!"

(End of this chapter)