Druid Fairy

Chapter 194 Sword and Fist

Sikong Jin was carried off the alchemy platform by two Daqian warriors.

Although he only fainted, everyone knew that this person had been completely crippled.

In the future, no matter what earth-shattering pills he refines, the first image that comes to mind when people mention the genius Sikong Jin of Medicine King Valley will be the earth-shattering, smelly "detox" spectacle on Vermilion Bird Street today.

This was worse than killing him.

The face of Qian Tianyi, the third prince of the Great Qian Dynasty, could no longer be described as gloomy.

He took a deep look at the young alchemist on the stage, who had a gentle smile, seemed harmless, yet had won a deadly alchemy duel in the most unbelievable way.

That glance was filled with apprehension and undisguised killing intent.

"let's go!"

Without uttering a single unnecessary word, he turned and left.

Their pathetic state contrasted sharply with their arrogant and domineering arrival, creating an incredibly ironic scene.

As the Daqian delegation slunk away, the oppressive atmosphere on Zhuque Street was instantly ignited!

"We won! Master Li Dan is awesome!"

"Uphold our national prestige! Uphold our national prestige!"

"Hahaha, what kind of genius is this Medicine King Valley? He was completely subdued by our Master Li's 'powerful medicine'!"

Countless people raised their arms and cheered, and the entire capital was immersed in a triumphant celebration.

On this day, Li Mengze's name was completely remembered.

He was no longer just the alchemist who improved the formulas, but became an object of admiration for the younger generation of the Great Yu Dynasty, a hero who dared to confront powerful enemies head-on and defend the dynasty's dignity with thunderous means!
…………

That evening, a grand banquet was held at the palace.

The celebration banquet was even more extravagant than the last one.

Li Mengze was placed in the highest rank, second only to the princes and princesses, an honor that was the highest a subject could receive.

"Minister Li," the emperor said, raising his wine cup with a satisfied smile, "today, you have rendered outstanding service to our Great Yu Dynasty, not only thwarting the arrogance of the Great Qian Dynasty, but also instilling confidence in the younger generation of cultivators in our dynasty! I will reward you handsomely!"

Rewards were once again delivered in a continuous stream.

This time, in addition to the gold and silver mansion, he gained real power.

Deputy Director of the Royal Alchemy Institute, concurrently serving as a royal attendant.

This position granted him the power to freely enter and exit the royal pharmacy and access countless rare prescriptions and medical texts. More importantly, it gave him the qualification to speak directly to the emperor.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace." Li Mengze rose to express his gratitude, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Very good, very good." The emperor was increasingly satisfied with the result. He then changed the subject, asking seemingly casually, "The elixir you used today, my dear minister, was made using a unique and natural technique. I have never seen anything like it in the imperial archives. May I ask... who your teacher was?"

Again.

Li Mengze understood the situation, but on the surface he appeared flattered and bowed, replying, "Your Majesty, this is a fragment that my master accidentally obtained in an ancient cultivator's cave during his travels in his early years. It contains strange and unorthodox pill formulas. Today, I had no choice but to take this risky step, and I hope Your Majesty will forgive my foolishness."

This answer placed all the blame on the master.

The emperor narrowed his eyes and stopped asking questions, but the probing look in his eyes grew even stronger.

In the midst of this harmonious and peaceful atmosphere between the ruler and his subjects, a discordant voice suddenly rang out.

"His Majesty!"

Suddenly, Tuoba Xiong, the body-refining fanatic who had been silently drinking at the Great Qian delegation's seat, stood up.

His imposing physique was like an iron tower, exuding a fierce and menacing aura.

"Dan Dou, our Great Qian has lost, and I, Tuoba Xiong, accept it!"

He said in a deep, booming voice, "But those are nothing but petty tricks that can't be brought to the table! We cultivators should compete with martial arts and prove our Dao with strength!"

His bloodshot eyes, like two searchlights, were fixed on the young man in a blue robe at the next table who had been resting with his eyes closed the whole time.

"Li Mengjin!"

He pointed his spiked club into the distance and declared, "I, Tuoba Xiong, hereby formally challenge you! Three days from now, at the Imperial City's 'Life and Death Arena,' we shall fight to the death!"

Everyone was stunned by Tuoba Xiong's sudden challenge.

This is no longer a friendly spar; this is a fight to the death!

The officials of Dayu all looked furious. This Tuoba Xiong was simply lawless, daring to be so arrogant and domineering at His Majesty's banquet!

Seeing this, the Third Prince Qian Tianyi simply stood up slowly, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to the Emperor, and smiled:
“Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Tuoba is a martial arts fanatic, outspoken and has no intention of offending anyone. However, he heard that Young Master Li Mengjin is the number one swordsman among the younger generation of the Great Yu, and he admires him greatly, which is why he couldn’t help himself. I hope Your Majesty can grant him this opportunity to make friends through martial arts.”

He spoke lightly, but directly characterized the matter as a "private feud between cultivators," making it difficult for the emperor to forcibly interfere using court rules.

The emperor's face darkened, and he turned his gaze to Li Mengjin.

All eyes were now focused on the boy.

Li Mengze gave him an inquiring look, the meaning of which was clear: if he didn't want to fight, he could step in and mediate.

Li Mengjin slowly opened his eyes, his gaze calm and profound.

He stood up and extended a finger toward Tuoba Xiong as well.

"No need for three days."

He said calmly.

"Tomorrow, at noon."

That calm tone carried a weight a thousand times greater than Tuoba Xiong's hoarse roar!

"Good!" Tuoba Xiong's eyes blazed with wild joy and fighting spirit. "You're a real man! I'll be waiting for you on the life-or-death stage!"

A storm was thus settled.

…………

Night, at the observatory.

Clouds and mist swirled, and starlight shone like water.

“Master, my second brother… he won’t be in danger, will he?” Li Mengyue asked with worry. “That guy named Tuoba Xiong looks so fierce, like a bear.”

Qingxu was lying on the white jade, legs crossed, with an unknown grass stalk in his mouth. Hearing this, he lazily opened one eye and laughed, "A fine sword that has seen the wind, the rain, and the clouds, would it be afraid of a heavy and crude iron axe?"

He sat up, looked at Li Mengyue, and a hint of approval appeared in his eyes. "Your older brother is quite interesting. Using the most masculine life force to attack the 'back door' of that yin and evil body, such a method deeply understands the essence of 'following the trend' in 'Tao follows nature.' It seems that your mysterious father is not a simple person."

"Of course! My dad is the most powerful person in the world!" Li Mengyue proudly puffed out her little chest.

Qingxu smiled and said no more, but a hint of barely perceptible curiosity flashed in his worldly-wise eyes.

…………

Inside the study of Tingtao Xiaozhu, the lights were on.

Li Yuanhu paced back and forth, his face revealing his anxiety.

"Mengjin, you're being too impulsive! That Tuoba Xiong is clearly a person with superhuman strength and an invincible physique. If you confront him head-on, aren't you just playing into his hands?"

"Brother Yuanhu, don't worry." Li Mengjin was wiping the "Shadow Fang" in his hand, his movements gentle, as if caressing a lover's skin. "A sword has a blade, but also a spine. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. Strength is not always better the stronger it is."

With the guidance of the Imperial Preceptor Qingxu, his understanding of swordsmanship has long transcended the simple concepts of "killing" and "sharpness".

Li Mengze looked at him and said in a deep voice, "Second brother, how confident are you?"

Li Mengjin raised his head, looked at his elder brother, and said seriously, "Ten percent."

It's not arrogance, but an absolute confidence stemming from a clear understanding of the sword's essence.

Li Mengze didn't ask any more questions. He nodded and said, "Alright. Then go ahead and do it. However, after this battle, regardless of victory or defeat, we need to speed up our plans."

He unfolded a map of the capital city, his expression becoming extremely solemn.

“The ‘blood pool’ that Brother Yuanhu mentioned is by no means an isolated case. I suspect that similar formations used to draw ‘nourishment’ may exist throughout the entire Great Yu Dynasty, and even underground in this capital. And the so-called ‘national protection ceremony’ is very likely the day when the formation is finally activated and the ‘harvest’ begins.”

"Our time is running out."

"In tomorrow's battle, Second Brother, you must not only win, but win beautifully, so that everyone can see your value, especially... the Emperor's value."

"Only by standing higher can we see further and access the most core secrets of this dynasty."

In the darkness, the siblings' gazes were more resolute than ever before.

…………

The next day, noon.

The "Life and Death Arena" within the imperial city was already packed with people.

This enormous arena, forged from a single piece of ancient black iron, is dark red in color. It is said that this color is stained with the blood of countless powerful warriors who have died on it over the years.

Ordinary sparring is not worthy of using this platform.

Only a life-or-death battle, a fight to the death, will begin here.

On the high viewing platform, the Emperor of Dayu and the Third Prince of Daqian sat side by side, with important ministers from both countries lined up on either side. The atmosphere was solemn, a stark contrast to the toasts and laughter at yesterday's banquet.

Below the stage, the area was packed with cultivators and commoners from the capital who had come after hearing the news.

Han Youwei's palms were sweating with nervousness. He gripped Li Mengze's arm tightly, saying, "Brother Li, why do I feel my legs going weak? This...this is truly a life-or-death battle! Swords have no eyes, what if..."

"Shut up." Li Mengze's voice was calm, but his eyes, fixed on the stage, betrayed his inner turmoil.

"when!"

With the sound of a bell, two figures landed at opposite ends of the arena of life and death almost simultaneously.

To the west, Tuoba Xiong.

He was shirtless, his bronze skin covered with hideous scars, and his bulging muscles were like rocks, exuding an explosive sense of power.

He didn't bring his exaggerated spiked club; he was bare-handed, his bull-like eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit.

For him, the physical body is the strongest weapon!

Li Mengjin was still dressed in a moon-white long robe, holding the seemingly ordinary iron sword "Shadow Fang" in his hand. His expression was indifferent, his aura was restrained, and his whole person was like an ancient well, calm and undisturbed.

Two completely different auras stood out clearly on the vast stage of life and death.

"Li Mengjin!" Tuoba Xiong grinned, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth, his voice booming like a bell, "I respect you as a man for daring to accept the challenge! Today, I will use all my strength to shatter your bones one by one; this is my greatest respect for you!"

"Enough with the nonsense." Li Mengjin slowly raised the sword in his hand, the tip pointing diagonally at the ground. "Make your move."

"it is good!"

Tuoba Xiong roared and said no more.

The black iron arena beneath his feet suddenly sank downwards, and spiderweb-like cracks spread wildly from him as the center!

"boom!"

He was like a cannonball launched from a gun, carrying an unparalleled and violent momentum, charging straight towards Li Mengjin!

Before the person even arrived, the domineering and unparalleled force of the punch had already caused the air to emit a piercing explosion!

Faced with this earth-shattering punch, Li Mengjin did not choose to meet it head-on.

His figure, like a leaf swept up by a gale, slid back three feet at an incredible angle the instant the fist struck his body.

Not too much, not too little, just enough to avoid the most powerful point of the punch.

Tuoba Xiong missed his punch and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he reacted very quickly. When one punch missed, another punch followed like a shadow and swept out horizontally!

"call!!"

The force of the punch was like a knife, creating a visible white shockwave.

Li Mengjin's body, however, seemed weightless. He lightly touched the ground with his toes and leaned back, his body almost parallel to the ground, narrowly avoiding the violent attack once again.

His movements were fluid and graceful, full of the charm of following the natural way.

In an instant, an extremely bizarre scene unfolded on the vast stage of life and death.

Tuoba Xiong's attacks were wide and sweeping, each punch carrying immense power, causing the arena to roar and the air to churn.

Li Mengjin, however, was like a small boat navigating through turbulent waves, always maintaining a fine line between himself and the deadly punch.

He didn't draw his sword; he simply dodged.

His posture was so composed, as if he were strolling leisurely in a garden.

"What... what's going on? Why is Li Mengjin only dodging and not attacking?"

"What do you know! This is called 'using stillness to control movement'! Look at Tuoba Xiong, he uses all his strength in every punch. If he keeps going like this, he'll be exhausted before he even hits anyone!"

"What superb footwork! It looks dangerous, but every dodge is perfectly timed, maximizing the use of power!"

The crowd below the stage was buzzing with discussion, while the experts on the viewing platform all wore solemn expressions.

Qian Tianyi's brows furrowed tightly.

He could see that Li Mengjin's movement technique was no longer just "fast," but contained some kind of profound "Tao."

A barely perceptible smile appeared on the face of the Emperor of Da Yu.

"Hide! Hide! Hide! Is all you can do to hide like a mouse?!"

After dozens of punches missed their mark, Tuoba Xiong was finally enraged. He stopped abruptly, clashing his fists together with a loud metallic clang.

"Roar!"

He roared like a ferocious beast, and his bronze skin turned into a metallic crimson at a speed visible to the naked eye!

A surge of blood energy, several times more violent than before, erupted from his body, forming a visible plume of crimson smoke!
"Secret Technique: Berserker Transformation!"

"He was actually forced to use his most secret technique!" A general from the Great Qian Dynasty exclaimed in surprise from the viewing platform.

When Tuoba Xiong enters the "Beast Transformation" state, his strength and speed are terrifyingly amplified, but at the cost of his rationality being gradually replaced by his bestial nature.

"die!"

Tuoba Xiong's eyes blazed with red light, and he charged out again, this time at more than twice the speed of before!
(End of this chapter)