The Long Journey to Immortality

This outcome was within Han Lu's expectations; she had even prepared a backup plan long ago.

Amidst the clash of ice and fire, Xianyu Ji, who had just broken the illusion, had no time to rejoice before noticing two powerful auras converging on him from either side.

As Xianyu Ji scanned the area with his divine sense, his heart leaped into his throat.

He had already witnessed the power of Han Lu's fire and ice magic. Now that she was using both at once, how could he possibly deal with her easily?

In his haste, he used almost all of his defensive measures, trying to survive between the two supernatural powers.

Chapter 1094 A Tale of Ice and Fire

Seeing Xianyu Ji facing a dilemma on the stage, Wen Erya, who was sitting in the viewing platform supporting Han Lu, couldn't help but feel worried for Xianyu Ji.

Privately, Han Lu and Wen Erya occasionally sparred after reaching the Golden Core Realm. Wen Erya was well aware of the power of Han Lu's True Spirit Divine Abilities.

She said to Xiao Ran, "Once, my junior sister used this move on me, and even though I tried my best to defend myself, I still lost."

"If it weren't for my junior sister showing mercy, I'm afraid I would have been seriously injured that time."

"Elder Xianyu is in big trouble now."

Wen Erya's tone was not one of gloating, but rather one of genuine concern for Xianyu Ji's current predicament.

They were all from the same school, and it was such a formal and solemn occasion. Even Wen Erya didn't want Xianyu Ji, Han Lu's opponent, to be seriously injured.

Because of Han Lu's previous series of strong performances, quite a few elders underestimated Xianyu Ji's strength.

The vast majority of them shared similar thoughts with Wen Erya, while a small number of elders who were close to Xianyu Ji secretly criticized Han Lu for "not upholding martial virtue."

It is an unspoken rule in the Central Plains not to use all one's strength in sparring.

In the eyes of these elders, Han Lu's powerful skills and abilities were clearly unparalleled, and it was not an exaggeration to say that she "did not uphold martial ethics".

However, as it turns out, Han Lu possessed martial virtue, and Xianyu Ji was not as weak as the elders sitting on the viewing platform making sarcastic remarks imagined.

After unleashing the Ice and Fire Divine Power, Han Lu kept a close eye on Xianyu Ji's situation and was prepared to immediately dissipate the power and retreat half a step if Xianyu Ji could not withstand it.

Although the ice and fire supernatural power activated by the true spirit bloodline put Xianyu Ji in a dilemma, caught between ice and fire, the series of responses Xianyu Ji made in his desperation almost rendered Han Lu's preparations useless.

Enveloped in ice and fire, Xianyu Ji stubbornly relied on his magic weapons and spells to hold out for nearly five seconds. Han Lu sighed inwardly, "Impressive!" before letting the ice and fire disappear from the arena as if it had naturally dissipated, releasing Xianyu Ji from the ice and fire cage.

Everything was done flawlessly, and even Nian Haoge and Wen Erya, who knew Han Lu best, did not notice that Han Lu had "showed mercy" at this moment.

Back in the public eye, Xianyu Ji managed to protect himself without injury thanks to his own strength, but he was still in a rather disheveled state.

Beneath the brilliant golden light emanating from his magical powers lay a face ashen like charcoal and a Taoist robe riddled with charred holes.

Not only that, Xianyu Ji's originally neat hair bun was also burned into a messy, charred color.

"Elder Xianyu, your ability to be impervious to water and fire is truly impressive." To cover up the truth, Han Lu deliberately offered a compliment, making it seem as if she had already used all her strength in the previous attack.

Xianyu Ji coughed twice, exhaling a little grayish-brown gas.

After catching his breath, he replied, "Elder Zhenfeng's True Spirit Divine Power is indeed formidable; I could only barely withstand it."

"Please give me a moment, Elder Zhenfeng, so that I may tidy my clothes."

Han Lu smiled and said, "Whatever."

It's just a friendly exchange; there's no need to take it too seriously.

Not to mention sparring and fighting in front of so many people.

Keeping one's clothes neat and tidy is somewhat necessary.

Han Lu believed that even if she were beaten so badly that she was completely exposed, Xianyu Ji would generously stop using his magic weapon and give her time to tidy herself up.

Upon hearing this, Xianyu Ji hurriedly raised his hand to summon the spirit sword that had been lying on the ground, and cut off most of his long hair.

Then she summoned a light screen, enveloping herself to form a completely private and independent space, where she quickly changed her clothes.

The intense battle entered a short halftime break, allowing the spectators in the stands to spend more time discussing the battle they had just witnessed.

Many more disciples of the Zhengyi sect have started paying attention to Qiu Peng.

Now that they finally had some time, many people surrounded Qiu Peng, asking him a barrage of questions, hoping to get a clear answer from this "second disciple of the True Phoenix Fairy".

However, even in these kinds of situations, there's a difference between close and distant relationships.

Qiu Peng ignored the fellow disciples who fawned over him but were not familiar with him, and instead answered a small question posed by his apprentice Hong Tong.

"Master, what are the four phoenixes that our grandmaster summoned when he used the sword formation?" Hongtong asked in a low voice.

Qiu Peng chose to answer this question because Hong Tong was his apprentice, and because he knew the answer.

Qiu Peng carefully chose his words before replying, "Disciple, your grandmaster is incredibly powerful, and the four totems in the sword formation each have their own origins."

"The pink totem is the Phoenix."

"The red totem is a fire phoenix."

"White represents the Ice Phoenix, and black represents the Fiery Phoenix."

"These four types of phoenixes are all true spirits, and are among the best in the wilderness."

"Tell me, how could our Grandmaster possibly lose when he simultaneously mobilizes four True Spirits in battle?"

Hong Tong had heard of one or two phoenixes before, and after hearing his master Qiu Peng's answer, his eyes revealed a look of admiration.

When Han Lu demonstrated the "Four Phoenix Sword Formation" in front of everyone, some knowledgeable cultivators were able to guess which phoenix bloodlines she had harmonized with and which phoenix true spiritual abilities she could use.

Therefore, Qiu Peng's display of knowledge and his clear explanation in front of everyone cannot be considered a leak of secrets.

In the short span of ten breaths, Xianyu Ji removed the light barrier surrounding him.

When Xianyu Ji reappeared in front of everyone, apart from his slightly unkempt short hair which somewhat diminished his good looks, he had basically regained his former elegant and charming image.

Thank you.

Xianyu Ji bowed with his hands clasped in greeting, showing great politeness.

Han Lu asked perfunctorily, "Elder Xianyu, may we continue?"

"Of course, of course." Although Xianyu Ji wanted to gain some more time to recover his spiritual power, he didn't have the nerve to do such a thing in front of so many people.

Han Lu then said, "Alright, let's fight again in three breaths."

Hearing Han Lu's words, Xianyu Ji didn't react much. However, the many spectators who had been whispering to each other in the stands came to their senses and turned their attention back to the ring.

Before Xianyu Ji could answer, Han Lu silently counted to three in her mind.

After counting to three, Han Lu launched another attack.

With a wave of her hand, Han Lu directed all twelve spirit swords in the sword formation, intending to make an attempt to use the methods of four true spirits simultaneously for the first time in a battle.

It's quite difficult, but it's very suitable for this situation.

In an instant, sword light flashed in all directions within the sword formation, and all twelve spiritual swords detached from their original floating positions, each displaying the true spiritual power of the four phoenixes in its own way, and pounced towards Xianyu Ji's location with bared fangs and claws.

[Author's Note] Han Lujie Qiluo said.

Chapter 1085 Fake Match, True Spirit Appears

Four kinds of true spiritual powers were attached to the spirit sword and used simultaneously.

This scene can only be described in two words: spectacular.

Various flying swords danced in the sword formation, dazzling the eyes.

In particular, the six spirit swords that wielded the divine powers of the Ice Phoenix and Fire Phoenix were the most outstanding and eye-catching.

The great battle has resumed, and Xianyu Ji, who had just returned to normal, is once again caught in a fierce battle.

After earnestly parrying and defending a few times, Xianyu Ji unexpectedly discovered, while using his spirit sword to block, that the seemingly aggressive spirit swords before him were merely gold and jade on the outside.

The pressure emanating from the spirit sword was comparable to that of an ordinary magical artifact, completely unlike the attack unleashed by Han Lu.

This situation is abnormal and is the complete opposite of what happened before.

Feeling doubtful, Xianyu Ji suddenly had a guess, and then he looked at Han Lu standing in the distance.

The two locked eyes, and Xianyu Ji noticed the unspoken message in Han Lu's eyes, finally understanding why such a situation had occurred.

"It seems that Han Lu is planning to use this method to put on a good show in order to fulfill the Qingxu Sect Master's request," Xianyu Ji thought to himself. "In this way, others will indeed not be able to tell the truth from the falsehood. It's not impossible to put on an act."

Recalling his situation just now, Xianyu Ji was still a little scared, and agreed to Han Lu's suggestion without hesitation.

Xianyu Ji decided to delay the inevitable, waiting until his spiritual power had recovered more before engaging Han Lu in a real battle.

The two reached a consensus and formed a tacit understanding in a short time through a battle of wits and eye contact.

Soon, a battle that looked incredibly intense and thrilling, but was actually quite different, took place on the arena.

Did any of the many viewers realize that Han Lu and Xianyu Ji were faking their fight?

Of course, there are still a few.

The cultivators had different reasons for realizing that the two people on the stage were "fixing the match".

Xianyu Ji's two friends noticed that something was off about his behavior and concluded that he was acting with Han Lu.

Xiao Ran and Wen Erya, on the other hand, felt that it was impossible for Xianyu Ji to withstand Han Lu for so long, and thus concluded that Han Lu and Xianyu Ji were in cahoots, using their superb acting skills to deceive everyone.

Qiu Peng, based on his understanding of Taoist principles, felt that the battle should not have unfolded this way.

However, despite knowing about it, Qiu Peng, who was somewhat fond of showing off, did not mention it to anyone.

What's wrong with "fighting a fixed match"? The meaning of this battle lies in achieving the goal that the Qingxu Sect Master wants to achieve, rather than letting Han Lu and Xianyu Ji determine a winner and a loser.

After a lively exchange of blows for about fifty breaths, Han Lu felt it was time, so she took the initiative to dispel the sword formation and said loudly, "Elder Xianyu's methods are superb, but next, I'm going to use my ultimate move, so you'd better be careful."

Han Lu's words had a hidden meaning, which Xianyu Ji, who had just finished a match-fixing contest with her, understood.

"Does that mean we're going to get serious from here on out?" Xianyu Ji thought to himself. "I'm ready too, so let's go."

Although he was still a little apprehensive, Xianyu Ji was definitely not a cultivator who was afraid of battle.

He had a vague idea of ​​what methods Han Lu was going to use next.

He had been looking forward to what might happen next ever since he knew this sparring match was about to begin.

As expected, Han Lu had just finished speaking when she began to operate the "True Phoenix Manual".

This time, instead of switching to a semi-spirited state to continue the battle as a human cultivator, she followed the advice of Daoist Qingxu and transformed into a phoenix in front of everyone, continuing the sparring match as a true spirit.