Drawing the sword(Bajian)—
Yashan, the Bajian Sect!
The moment Bai Yin spoke these words, almost everyone with any knowledge of Yashan simultaneously thought of these terms and couldn’t help but gasp sharply!
As a giant-level sect of Zuo Sanqian, Yashan had enjoyed fame throughout the Nineteen Provinces for a long time.
However, anyone with even a little understanding of Yashan, when mentioning Yashan, had to mention an important faction among Yashan’s disciples—the legendary “Bajian Sect”!
At the slightest disagreement, they would draw swords and face each other!
There was no problem that couldn’t be solved with one battle.
They were forever Yashan’s most warlike group, and also Yashan’s most powerful group in terms of combat strength. They seemed to know nothing of retreat, never feared anything, adhering to the beliefs in their hearts while also believing in the swords in their hands.
Throughout Yashan’s history, few sect masters and elders hadn’t emerged from the Bajian Sect.
Even the current Middle Domain Enforcement Elder Fudao Shanren, who was quite criticized by Zuo Sanqian, had also emerged from the Bajian Sect in his youth. With one “Wu” sword, he had challenged all of Yashan and brutalized all of Kunwu, almost without equal!
Zhilin Sou, who knew astronomy above and geography below, had once joked with people: Among Yashan’s disciples, seven or eight out of ten were “Bajian Sect,” and the remaining “two or three” simply hadn’t drawn swords with you yet.
No one knew whether Bai Yin originally belonged to those “seven or eight” or those “two or three.”
But when he so casually spoke the two words “draw sword,” almost everyone believed: Such sword-drawing could only be from Yashan!
Another Bajian Sect member!
A living, breathing “Bajian Sect” member before their eyes!
At this moment, everyone began to anticipate: anticipating seeing the legendary “Bajian Sect’s” style, anticipating glimpsing how strong Bai Yin was, anticipating a…
Spectacular battle!
Everyone’s gaze was burning and brilliant.
Jian Chou in the Lihuo Chamber suddenly felt somewhat dazed. Those two words “draw sword” seemed to possess a strange magic, instantly pulling her back to when she had just entered the sect, facing provocations and challenges from the Jianzhu Sect…
On the sword-drawing platform, boldly drawing her sword.
At that time, she had just broken through to Foundation Establishment and was ignorant about everything; at that time, she didn’t possess any sword, and of course still didn’t now; at that time, she didn’t really understand what the two words “draw sword” truly meant…
But now.
Jian Chou looked at Bai Yin on the Gean Platform, the smile at the corner of her lips finally spreading uncontrollably, creating a long-missed intimate sigh.
Now, let’s see if this fifth martial brother qualified as a proper “Bajian Sect” member.
“Lethal Dart Leng Guang has always been a first-class figure among the Star Sea’s desperados. It’s quite unexpected that he’s now serving the night sailing ship…”
Tantai Xiu beside her had also relaxed after seeing Yashan intervene, and inquired of Jian Chou.
“Miss, do you think this Bai Yin can win?”
After all, Bai Yin wasn’t Qu Zhengfeng.
He had been wandering outside for many years and rarely participated in any Yashan affairs, so though his cultivation wasn’t low, he hadn’t gained fame throughout the Nineteen Provinces early like Qu Zhengfeng.
Everyone in the venue could only see his cultivation level but couldn’t judge his combat strength.
But regarding whether he could win?
Jian Chou naturally recalled what she had seen in the night sailing ship’s dungeon that day: profound cultivation, skilled in swordsmanship, and absolutely first-rate reaction speed. Fighting against Leng Guang currently on the platform should pose no problem.
She smiled slightly but said: “I’m not very proficient in fighting matters. Young Master Tantai has asked the wrong person.”
“Haha, is that so?” Tantai Xiu wasn’t annoyed either, laughing and sighing: “I think he alone should be able to handle at least two of them.”
Such a high evaluation?
Jian Chou raised an eyebrow but didn’t express further opinions, only saying: “Then I must watch carefully to see if Young Master Tantai’s guess is right or wrong.”
Everyone watched with bated breath.
The center of the broad Gean Platform had been cleared.
The Silver Tower’s Zhendao Ren, night sailing ship Wine Offerer Liang Tingyu, and Evil Monk Shanxing had all retreated to the very edge of the platform to watch. Also moved to the edge was the black iron cage confining Zuoliu.
Bai Yin held his sword, handsome and graceful, standing opposite the skeletal Leng Guang—a stark contrast.
His cultivation wasn’t particularly high, currently only mid-stage Nascent Soul. But after years of traveling alone, experiencing countless dangers, plus the painful lessons accumulated from being thoroughly defeated in Yashan’s Beast Fighting Arena in earlier years, Bai Yin’s combat strength was definitely higher than ordinary cultivators of the same level.
At this moment, he glanced around and easily discovered Leng Guang’s cultivation level.
This “Lethal Dart” with a fearsome reputation in the Star Sea, judging by cultivation realm, was exactly the same as him—also mid-stage Nascent Soul.
Looking at just this, it might be an evenly matched battle.
However…
Bai Yin slightly narrowed his eyes, his five fingers gripping the sword handle quietly tightened. In this moment filled with gathering momentum, he instantly drew his sword!
“Clang—”
The Danqing Sword unsheathed!
“Whoosh!”
In this instant, hundreds and thousands of water traces and ink energy followed the sword’s emergence, like silk ribbons blown by fierce wind, submerging half the Gean Platform.
Needless to say, this was another famous sword, definitely not ordinary!
Countless people in the building saw this and felt shocked, extremely envious; but Leng Guang currently facing Bai Yin had no time to think about so much.
Leng Guang’s nickname was “Lethal Dart”—he was a very famous assassin in the Star Sea.
Many people liked him, and many feared him. Though he only had mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivation, he could often assassinate people with higher cultivation than himself. His strongest achievement was assassinating an Out-of-Body stage old monster years ago.
Lurking, venomous like a snake, waiting for opportunities, killing with one strike…
These were all his strengths.
So, Leng Guang often liked to call himself an “assassin”—an excellent assassin.
Today’s open and aboveboard occasion, with no concealment on all sides, was undoubtedly not favorable for his performance.
But Leng Guang didn’t think he would lose.
Before achieving his goal, his caution was enough to drive any opponent crazy, even if facing a Yashan disciple.
Unfortunately, today this confidence couldn’t last even a moment!
Leng Guang’s cheeks were already so thin they resembled a skull, as if only a layer of skin clung to bone. So the pair of eyes embedded in his eye sockets appeared extraordinarily large—large enough to frighten people.
Usually, these eyes held a heart-stopping deathly silence.
But at this moment, they flashed with undisguisable horror!
This sword draw!
No one in the venue could experience his feeling.
Before the sword was drawn, what stood before him was merely an opponent with condensed and powerful aura; but after the opponent drew his sword, everything disappeared.
Bai Yin in front of him was clearly still standing there, yet his spiritual consciousness couldn’t lock onto the opponent’s position.
Everything was void!
As if, the moment the sword left its sheath, he had transformed into those thousands of ink energies!
An…
Enemy that couldn’t be locked onto?
Not good!
The moment this thought arose in his mind, a powerful sense of crisis instantly struck. The vigilance and experience formed by years of assassin career made him choose retreat without hesitation at this moment!
The next moment, those thousands of ink energies transformed into swimming dragons, charging toward his original position with overwhelming force!
“Boom!”
Ink energy struck the ground like an incoming tide, extremely magnificent.
But it scattered like clouds and mist in the blink of an eye.
When the sky cleared again, Leng Guang looked up: Bai Yin had reappeared within his spiritual consciousness perception, holding that long sword with a pure white blade covered in mysterious black patterns, showing him what couldn’t quite be called a smile.
“The sword’s name is Danqing!”
Using sword as brush, painting paper with cinnabar, painting my loyal heart!
Bai Yin was undoubtedly someone with great “literary spirit.”
Sword chose according to spirit, spirit arose from sword—they complemented each other. Cultivating to this point, his entire being possessed a natural ink-wash landscape artistic conception.
His sword was unique; his ink-wash was also unique.
In his previous long years of cultivation, almost no one throughout the Nineteen Provinces had heard his name. But Jian Chou believed that after today’s battle at the Silver Tower, his name would definitely be spread by thousands upon thousands of people!
Just for such a stunning person, such a stunning sword!
Compared to his cautious prudence in the night sailing ship’s dungeon that day, Bai Yin on the Gean Platform now, without the embarrassment of facing mysterious powerful enemies and sudden situations then, appeared more free and natural.
A sword tip’s lift created extending ink lines; a blade’s slash produced lingering ink energy; when the long sword hung inverted, it was as if the Milky Way from the nine heavens had fallen to the mortal world, converging into a scroll of light ink landscape painting…
Leng Guang’s attacks were naturally strange and treacherous.
He was famous for “darts,” especially the seemingly endless “money darts” in his hands. Their shape was roughly like ordinary copper coins, thirty-six total, but their color was deep red. When such money darts were held in Leng Guang’s hands, they were like living blood lines.
Money darts shuttled and wandered in the venue, bringing only a bone-chilling sensation like venomous snakes.
If it were an ordinary person facing him, they would probably already have cold necks, frightened hearts, and be exhausted from defending. But at this moment, his opponent was none other than Bai Yin!
What a feeling of complete ease!
When a dart flew out with a point of spiritual light, approaching silently, before it could near Bai Yin’s body, it would be struck down by swimming dragon-like ink energy, even following the money dart’s trajectory to counterattack Leng Guang!
The so-called “sneak attacks” waiting for opportunities couldn’t affect Bai Yin at all!
Conversely, the Danqing Sword’s strange characteristic of concealing aura repeatedly prevented Leng Guang from capturing the opponent’s movements, and he nearly got pierced by the opponent’s sword tip several times.
Back and forth between them was already a top-level contest between swordsman and assassin!
“Ding!”
“Ding!”
“Rumble!”
…
The sounds of combat were endless.
Countless cultivators in the Silver Tower were already praising continuously.
Leng Guang was a master—they knew this all too well. But no one had expected that this Yashan disciple Bai Yin could match Leng Guang evenly, even with a vague sense of gradually overwhelming him.
Worthy of being Yashan!
Daring to directly bid one million, ending the first half of this auction, couldn’t be possible without strength to solve the second half. Otherwise, wouldn’t it just benefit Shen Wenxing, who bid second?
“So strong!”
Even Tantai Xiu, who had judged Bai Yin’s strength from the beginning, couldn’t help but exclaim this way.
Obviously, Bai Yin’s strength exceeded his initial judgment.
Jian Chou didn’t find it unexpected: “Didn’t Young Master Tantai say you thought he could win?”
“That’s what I said, but fighting this easily was quite beyond my expectations.” Tantai Xiu shook his head, his gaze always tightly locked on the battle situation, continuing: “After all, Leng Guang is definitely not someone to mess with, and quite a few people are at crucial moments—what!”
Halfway through his words, Tantai Xiu’s eyes suddenly widened, and he couldn’t help but exclaim!
Almost simultaneously, the Silver Tower erupted in identical exclamations. Even through bamboo curtains, one could see many people standing up in this instant, as if seeing an extremely dangerous scene.
Jian Chou was immediately startled and looked toward the Gean Platform.
In just these few words’ time, the battlefield situation had actually changed!
Previously, Bai Yin had always held a slight advantage. Seeing Leng Guang’s offensive gradually declining, he steadily pressed forward, step by step intensifying his own attacks, attempting to defeat Leng Guang with this.
But unexpectedly, perhaps due to overly urgent attacks, he left an extremely tiny flaw at his left ribs!
For others, this flaw meant nothing.
But for Leng Guang, who “remained still until moving, then killed when moving,” if he couldn’t discover such a flaw and seize such an opportunity, he wouldn’t be a qualified assassin!
It could be said this flaw might be his only chance to turn the tables this round!
But Leng Guang also clearly knew: if he utilized the opponent’s flaw, he would use his killing technique to launch a surprise attack. Simultaneously, approaching the opponent would completely expose himself under the opponent’s sword, revealing a huge flaw…
Would he let this opportunity pass?
If it were like usual times, lurking in darkness, waiting for prey to approach, waiting for prey to take the bait, Leng Guang would be more cautious and wouldn’t do anything risky.
But at this moment, it was a rapidly changing battle!
Facing Bai Yin, this powerful opponent, he had no idea whether similar tiny flaws would appear again in subsequent combat.
Maybe there would be, maybe not!
Based on Leng Guang’s judgment of Bai Yin’s strength, he didn’t think the possibility of the opponent frequently revealing flaws was very high!
When it was time to gamble, one had to gamble!
Leng Guang had no choice!
His pair of palms, more delicate and soft than a woman’s, with ten slender fingers all seemed soaked in moonlight, jade-like and lustrous.
Finger techniques connected continuously, like chaotic butterflies threading through flowers, giving an indescribable beauty.
But wandering between his fingers were ten money darts faintly glowing with golden-red light!
This was clearly already pushed to the extreme!
An “assassin’s” killing technique would never give people time to react.
Almost as Bai Yin noticed this piercing golden-red glow, the deadly attack was already striking toward him. Ten money darts headed toward his various vital points!
This was definitely not merely a quantitative change!
Bai Yin could easily feel the destructive power attached to each point of golden-red light. He didn’t doubt that once touched by these auras, the spiritual energy flowing in his meridians would immediately be blocked and wouldn’t recover for some time.
When masters fought, they battled over instantaneous changes.
And Leng Guang’s assassination sought this subtle moment’s advantage. As long as he could interrupt Bai Yin, even for one breath’s time, everything could be declared over—
Ending with his victory!
Leng Guang knew this, everyone in the venue could see this moment’s danger, so how could Bai Yin not know?
But strangely, at this moment, facing this dangerous, almost life-risking strike, he not only showed no panic whatsoever, but even had no expression of urgency.
Definitely wrong!
In this instant, a nearly impossible thought flashed quickly through Leng Guang’s mind: he’d been calculated! This revealed flaw was deliberately sold to him by the opponent!
The purpose was to trigger his killing technique, exposing himself under the opponent’s sword!
But…
Such a dangerous, even desperate method could cost one’s life with a single mistake!
This cultivator from Yashan, also a disciple under Fudao Shanren, could be said to have status far above most people in the Silver Tower.
Fighting in the arena to save Zuoliu was one thing, but would he also use risky tactics and willingly risk his life for this?
Leng Guang really couldn’t believe it.
At this moment, the arrow had left the bow, and he lacked the ability to call it back. Better to fight it out. Even if Bai Yin wanted to calculate against him, he would turn the tables, utilize the flaw the opponent revealed, and kill with one strike!
“Whoosh!”
Excessive speed brought howling wind, instantly filling Leng Guang’s robes that appeared too wide due to his skeletal body, making him look bloated like a sack.
But at this moment, no one could see his speed clearly, much less the speed of those darts!
Swish swish swish!
Sharp whistling almost pierced people’s eardrums.
But the next moment, accompanied by a sigh-like “you lost,” all sounds in heaven and earth ceased.
The Danqing Sword, seemingly transformed from white mountains and black waters, soared gracefully toward the sky.
At the sword tip, the sharpest point condensed a deep black ink dot, like a vortex compressed to the extreme, frantically rotating while sprinkling ink energy downward.
“Hum!”
A battle disc two zhang and five chi in circumference almost simultaneously lit up beneath Bai Yin’s feet, brilliant with radiance!
In this instant, countless people were too shocked to speak!
In the Nineteen Provinces, battle discs reflected a person’s talent and strength. Bai Yin was only mid-stage Nascent Soul yet already possessed a two-zhang-five battle disc—he could be called outstanding among the outstanding, definitely far exceeding ordinary cultivators of the same realm.
Were Yashan disciples so terrifying?
Countless people trembled in their hearts, but what was even more shocking had just appeared.
Once the battle disc appeared, kunxian lines wove across it like longitude and latitude, while dao stones scattered like stars in various corners.
Under Bai Yin’s spiritual power urging, the battle disc rotated faster, faintly harmonizing with the rotating ink dot overhead. Dao stones lit up one after another, connected by kunxian lines, actually forming a scroll painting pattern!
One golden dao seal!
“Clang!”
The moment this golden dao seal appeared, the originally soaring Danqing Sword instantly turned and returned, like a falling divine brush, perfectly landing on the dao seal.
Thus, the entire battle disc suddenly “came alive.”
Countless snow-white spiritual lights shot out from the dao seal, more ethereal than tide-like ink energy, naturally ascending upward.
Snow-white spiritual light, pitch-black ink energy.
Like the clear and turbid energies when heaven and earth first opened, they had their own circulation patterns. In an instant, they gathered together in mid-air.
Thus, a nearly magnificent scene appeared before everyone’s eyes!
Ink energy condensed, spiritual light outlined.
Without needing brush strokes to depict, in the blink of an eye it became a floating worldly scroll suspended in mid-air—
Among elegant landscapes, distant fields stretched in crosshatched patterns, while nearby stood several old trees.
Under the trees, a boy sat sideways on an old ox’s back, holding not a cattle whip but a shepherd’s flute. Between spiritual light and ink energy, he actually reached out and brought the flute to his lips.
At this moment, though no sound existed, everyone seemed to hear that melodious flute music.
“Crack!”
“Crack!”
“Crack!”
“Crack!”
…
All ten golden-red money darts, just about to touch Bai Yin’s body with only a thread’s distance remaining! But in this instant when the shepherd boy played his flute horizontally, as if blocked by some immense force, they not only couldn’t advance an inch but shattered into powder!
“Poof!”
With his natal magical instrument cultivated for many years destroyed, Leng Guang almost immediately felt blood surging up and couldn’t hold it back, spitting it out.
On the Gean Platform, atop the old mottled traces, another patch of fresh red was added.
“…”
The entire Silver Tower fell silent for a moment, then erupted in clamor the next instant.
“Heavens, what kind of technique is this?”
“No, that’s wrong—this is swordsmanship, this is swordsmanship!”
“Actually using sword as brush to write cinnabar painting—wonderful, wonderful!”
“So powerful, so powerful…”
…
Quite a few people had thought that since Bai Yin dared to come out, he should have the strength to surpass his opponent. But no one had imagined that Leng Guang, famous for swift strikes and deep calculations, would be defeated by his opponent with almost no resistance!
Too strong!
And whether the earlier exquisite swordplay or the later water-ink scroll appearing from thin air, all were unheard of, unseen!
Discussion voices swept like a tide.
Shen Yao and others already showed extraordinary looks, obviously feeling Bai Yin’s strength exceeded their expectations.
Jian Chou in the Lihuo Chamber felt even more indescribable emotions.
Gazing at the scroll in the venue that had begun to dissipate, Tantai Xiu’s suspended heart finally slowly settled, and he sighed in relief: “This sword is truly too strange and wonderful…”
Was it only the sword that was wonderful?
Jian Chou didn’t think so.
Having been praised by Fudao Shanren for “top-tier combat talent,” she could naturally see many profound aspects of the recent battle.
Though the Danqing Sword was indeed wonderful, it was ultimately just a “tool.”
Not everyone could use it to such a miraculous degree, nor could everyone remain at ease under Leng Guang’s powerful and thorough attacks, even…
There was that crucial bit of “cunning” in this battle.
“I think this person is quite outstanding.”
“He should have understood Leng Guang early on, so in the previous battle, he constantly used various methods to suppress Leng Guang, not letting Leng Guang see half a chance of victory. At this time, he deliberately revealed that flaw, and only then would Leng Guang take the bait. Because if he wanted to win, this might be his only opportunity.”
“Bold, careful, not only with profound cultivation but also with deep planning.”
After thinking, Jian Chou finally couldn’t resist and spoke in praise.
This insight was naturally somewhat unique. But with careful consideration, one would find her words truly hit this battle’s crucial point.
Tantai Xiu and the crowd were all shocked by the final Danqing Sword technique’s wonder, overlooking the entire battle’s progression.
Hearing Jian Chou’s words, Tantai Xiu thought carefully and couldn’t help feeling somewhat horrified.
This time, not toward Bai Yin or Yashan, but toward Jian Chou, who stood beside him at this moment and appeared ordinary!
How deep must one’s understanding of combat be to discern all this in such a short time?
Today’s Star Sea truly hid dragons and crouching tigers.
This female cultivator before him, following the unfamiliar him into the Silver Tower, even encountering here that male cultivator of unknown friend-or-foe status…
Obviously, she shouldn’t be some pond fish.
Tantai Xiu looked at her twice and finally smiled with some deeper meaning, not asking more, only turning his attention back to the venue: “The first battle against Leng Guang has seen its outcome. The next match should begin soon.”
The combat on the Gean Platform no longer needed to continue.
Anyone with eyes could see that even if Leng Guang forced himself to continue fighting, it would only result in “defeat,” and he might even forfeit his life in the end.
Bai Yin came from Yashan and wasn’t someone who bullied others excessively.
At that moment, he made a hand seal, withdrew his Wanxiang Battle Disc, and the Danqing Sword automatically flew back into its sheath: “Fellow Daoist Leng Guang, let’s stop here. Your injuries aren’t severe, but my Danqing Sword energy is special. Please don’t touch ink or brushes for two days, or the ink energy will connect and worsen your injuries.”
“…”
The already skeletal Leng Guang, after losing a layer of blood color, looked even more like a tottering skeleton. But at this moment, he didn’t answer Bai Yin’s words. Instead, he turned his gaze toward the edge of the venue.
There stood Liang Tingyu, one of the night sailing ship’s three Wine Officers.
Beside her was the fierce-looking Evil Monk Shanxing, and further back was Zhendao Ren, who showed some trembling nervousness.
They had naturally watched the entire battle and understood the current situation perfectly.
As the highest-ranking night sailing ship cultivator currently on the Gean Platform, Liang Tingyu was naturally the one in control, especially for the current arena battle.
Leng Guang’s gaze was undoubtedly asking whether she wanted to continue.
Liang Tingyu knew this battle was certain defeat, and Leng Guang’s condition was already quite poor. Even forcing himself to continue wouldn’t consume much of Bai Yin’s strength—continuing was meaningless.
So, after brief contemplation, she gave an almost imperceptible nod.
Only then did Leng Guang cup his fists toward Bai Yin: “This battle, Leng Guang concedes.”
Having said this, his steps slightly unsteady, he retreated to the edge. Immediately, female cultivators from the Silver Tower approached to assist him down, presumably for healing.
“Congratulations to Fellow Daoist Bai Yin of Yashan for winning the first arena battle.” Zhendao Ren finally found the right moment to step forward, offering congratulations with a forced smile: “Now the second match is about to begin. Who will you invite to fight?”
Who to invite to fight?
Bai Yin was stunned, instinctively looking back toward his original chamber’s location. But at this moment, there was still no movement inside, much less any sign of a person…
Still, no one had come…
He suddenly felt that words couldn’t describe his mood, only managing a bitter smile as he cupped his hands toward Zhendao Ren and honestly said: “I had invited a friend to come, but he was lost earlier and hasn’t arrived yet—presumably still hasn’t found the right path to the Silver Tower. So, for the second match, let me continue.”
“Whoa!”
Everyone was “frightened” by these words!
First was because of the “inside information” Bai Yin had revealed. What kind of unreliable friend was this? They were cultivators—how could anyone get lost just trying to find the Silver Tower?
Second was because of Bai Yin’s next choice. After fighting Leng Guang, he actually chose to continue with the second match. Had he really gone mad, wanting to take on all three?
Were Yashan cultivators really this strong?
Everyone harbored such doubts, but simultaneously, the atmosphere became even more heated. Many people began making noise around them, and the entire Silver Tower seemed to transform into a bustling marketplace.
Zhendao Ren naturally hadn’t expected Bai Yin to answer this way either.
According to arena battle rules, as long as the opponent sent out three people or fewer, there was no problem. Bai Yin could certainly choose to continue challenging, but…
This time, he also turned his gaze toward Liang Tingyu.
Liang Tingyu’s brow had furrowed tightly.
Such a stern expression made the scar on her face appear even more menacing, condensing an inescapable murderous aura.
Her gaze lingered on Bai Yin for a long time before she turned to Evil Monk Shanxing and said something.
Too far away for anyone to hear clearly.
But Evil Monk Shanxing beside her heard every word distinctly. A strange light flashed in his eyes before he nodded heavily, hefting his massive eyebrow-level bronze staff and striding forward with head held high.
“Thud.”
The heavy bronze staff struck the ground, producing an equally heavy sound. The entire motion caused the thick string of prayer beads around his neck to sway twice.
“I’ll spar with you!”
The thick, hoarse voice rolled from deep in his throat, carrying a viciousness and crudeness matching his appearance, immediately inspiring disgust.
Many people quietly frowned upon hearing these words.
Bai Yin showed no particular reaction.
Having traveled north and south over the years, he’d seen all kinds of people. Such painless verbal provocations could hardly cause any change in his mindset.
So, even facing such a crude bald monk, he remained polite: “Please.”
A new battle was about to erupt.
Unlike the first match’s assassin-style Leng Guang, Evil Monk Shanxing’s style was more like that of a brutal, ferocious bandit—every movement was wide and forceful.
He merely lifted one foot and stomped heavily on the ground, leaving a deep footprint on the ancient giant stone!
“Take this!”
Using the counter-force from this stomp, he immediately shot up from the ground while his staff followed his movement, mercilessly swinging toward Bai Yin!
Such power!
Combined with Shanxing’s physique and appearance, it created a tremendous impact.
As the target of this staff strike, Bai Yin could naturally feel his opponent’s strength more clearly.
Among the sects of Zuo Sanqian, aside from Dragon Gate, few walked the path of strength and body refinement. Even Dragon Gate, while practicing body refinement, also possessed various exquisite techniques.
It could be said that cultivators from the Middle Domain emphasized “technique” over “strength.”
Bai Yin’s Danqing Sword was first-rate among “techniques,” so his cultivation naturally had its focus.
Now that his opponent had suddenly changed styles, Bai Yin naturally couldn’t handle it as smoothly as before. After all, while using movement techniques to dodge, he also had to focus on parrying and deflecting his opponent’s force.
So for a time, long sword against long staff—neither gained any advantage.
Swish swish swish!
Evil Monk Shanxing swung thirteen consecutive staff strikes, forcing Bai Yin to retreat. But in an instant, Bai Yin’s long sword circled, executing a “White Crane Spreads Wings” technique, instantly moving behind Shanxing and thrusting his sword toward Shanxing’s nape.
At this moment, though Shanxing clearly sensed the danger, he neither dodged nor avoided. Taking a deep breath, he let out a great shout!
“Ha!”
Immediately, knotted muscles bulged on Shanxing’s massive frame, and golden runes began flowing from his limbs, instantly converging at his nape!
“Clang!”
It was the sharp ring of metal collision!
The moment the sword tip fell, the runes also finished converging, perfectly condensing into a golden symbol less than an inch in size, blocking the sharp sword momentum!
The Danqing Sword was a famous blade, not to mention its current wielder was Bai Yin with mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivation!
Yet it couldn’t break through?
Bai Yin was greatly surprised. After his gaze flickered several times, it suddenly became grave: “Vajra Indestructible Buddha Body?”
“Heh heh, at least you recognize quality, kid!”
Having blocked Bai Yin’s surprise attack, Shanxing became somewhat smug. Without hesitation, he turned and charged forward. His palm-fan-like massive hands gripped the long staff tightly and began wildly swinging!
“Bang!”
“Bang!”
“Bang!”
…
After a brief moment of danger, the battlefield situation once again fell into stalemate.
People in the Silver Tower could only see staff shadows flying and sword energy dancing wildly, fighting from one end of the Gean Platform to the other with no sign of stopping.
Every exchange was a lightning-fast collision!
Tantai Xiu was already holding his breath watching. When he found a chance, he commented: “This match will probably be evenly matched—difficult to determine the winner.”
Difficult to determine the winner?
From Jian Chou’s perspective, that might not be the case.
She stood with arms crossed at the window, observing Bai Yin’s every attack and defense, her brow gradually furrowing.
This match wasn’t as optimistic as outsiders thought.
Presumably Bai Yin himself knew where the problem lay, but he had no solution now.
Generally speaking, in arena battles, stronger cultivators were placed later.
This meant Bai Yin’s current opponent Shanxing should be stronger than the previous Leng Guang. But compared to when fighting Leng Guang, Bai Yin’s condition wasn’t very good.
Techniques like the Danqing Sword’s earlier miraculous scroll definitely required enormous consumption.
But the first and second matches were consecutive. From Bai Yin’s perspective, this was truly a “wheel battle”—whether spiritual power or mental energy, he couldn’t keep up.
What was originally a small gap would become increasingly problematic as the battle lengthened.
The current Bai Yin was very mindful of this issue.
Jian Chou could see that he was very restrained in each attack, trying to control his spiritual power consumption while constantly using movement techniques to seek his opponent’s flaws, hoping for a breakthrough opportunity to defeat him in one decisive blow.
Unfortunately, Shanxing’s “Vajra Indestructible Buddha Body” made many of Bai Yin’s attacks come to nothing.
Bai Yin seemed to want to delay time—if he couldn’t win, at least wait for that “lost” friend to arrive.
Not knowing what this so-called “reinforcement” was about, Jian Chou couldn’t help but feel suspicious.
From Bai Yin’s way of addressing this person, the incoming reinforcement probably wasn’t a Yashan cultivator. Still not arriving now—how unreliable could they be?
Continuing to drag this out wouldn’t be good.
Moreover…
What worried her most wasn’t this, but Liang Tingyu standing aside—that scene of Liang Tingyu speaking to Evil Monk Shanxing kept replaying before her eyes.
Such a strange expression really made her suspect the other party was plotting something, definitely targeting Bai Yin.
She just couldn’t see what the specifics were yet.
The battlefield situation was becoming increasingly deadlocked.
This evil monk with some connection to Buddhism seemed to have inexhaustible strength. Despite fighting like this for so long, he showed no sign of fatigue.
Each bronze staff strike was heavier than the last.
In contrast was Bai Yin’s sword momentum.
Light and agile sword momentum, when opposing such heavy and fierce force, gained no advantage. So Bai Yin changed his old habits, his sword taking an unconventional path with fierce momentum, temporarily suppressing Shanxing.
“Wow!”
The sudden change in the situation excited the entire Silver Tower.
Shanxing hadn’t expected such a turn of events. Reacting too slowly, when pulling back his staff, he was struck on the back of his hand by Bai Yin’s sword. Despite his thick skin, he felt a drilling pain.
“Clang!”
Sword blade struck staff body—another sharp ring.
But this time, the long staff in Shanxing’s hands nearly flew from his grip—he almost lost his hold!
This Bai Yin!
He clearly felt the opponent was already struggling earlier—how had he suddenly…?
This shock was extraordinary.
Shanxing immediately realized that dealing with Bai Yin wasn’t so simple. Thus, Liang Tingyu’s earlier words echoed in his ears again…
Yashan cultivator, Bai Yin’s weakness.
Subconsciously, Shanxing’s gaze drifted around the Gean Platform: miscellaneous people had all withdrawn. Besides himself and Bai Yin in combat, only the black iron cage imprisoning Zuoliu in the center was conspicuous.
Zuoliu, who had appeared listless earlier, had already opened his eyes wide at some unknown point, staring intently at the battle as if watching with great interest.
This guy…
In just an instant, Shanxing made his decision.
“Come, fight again!”
With an angry roar, he summoned all his strength. Veins immediately bulged on his forehead, making his already brutish face appear even more vicious.
Gripping tightly with both hands, he raised the eyebrow-level bronze staff high.
In this instant, countless staff shadows flickered from the staff body, like a whirlwind surrounding the staff itself, all striking toward Bai Yin together!
Such a staff strike was clearly Shanxing’s wrathful blow.
According to Bai Yin’s fighting style in this battle, he would naturally avoid its edge temporarily, waiting for its momentum to weaken before striking back. So the current Bai Yin, single-mindedly focused, used rapid footwork that caused a string of dao seals to flicker in his two-zhang-five battle disc.
Swish!
His figure flashed, actually managing to move horizontally three zhang under the staff shadow’s coverage. In the blink of an eye, he’d escaped this staff strike’s attack range.
Almost every cultivator who saw this scene cheered inwardly!
What agile thinking, what swift reactions?
Even if a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator came, they probably couldn’t do better than Bai Yin.
However, at this same instant, Jian Chou, who also witnessed this scene, finally noticed that not-very-obvious abnormality…
Position!
This position!
Before Shanxing struck this blow, Shanxing himself, Bai Yin, and the black iron cage somewhat behind Bai Yin were almost in a straight line without much deviation.
But at this moment, Bai Yin had moved away to avoid Shanxing’s staff strike!
Thus, Zuoliu, who had originally been separated from Shanxing by Bai Yin, was now perfectly exposed within Shanxing’s staff shadow coverage!
Wrong!
This Shanxing’s purpose—
“What are you doing?!”
On the Gean Platform, a thunderous questioning suddenly exploded.
Bai Yin, who had successfully avoided the strike, had now discovered the sinister aspect of Shanxing’s attack and was extremely furious.
Because after he dodged, Shanxing showed no intention of withdrawing this staff strike!
That vicious face only revealed a calculating smile as he twisted his wrist, slightly adjusting direction—swinging his staff toward the cage in the venue!
Zuoliu!
In this instant, the entire venue froze.
Zuoliu within the cage never expected this. He instinctively wanted to dodge, but his meridians were all under restriction, and this black iron cage confined him. Despite having Nascent Soul cultivation, he had nowhere to use it!
For a moment, he could only watch helplessly as this bronze staff brought death!
Closer and closer…
The threat of death instantly loomed overhead. The small hope that had just risen in Zuoliu’s heart suddenly extinguished, immediately transforming into gradually rising despair…
Can’t avoid it!
Can’t escape!
Only death!
A self-mocking smile almost appeared at his lips, about to accept his unlucky fate. But unexpectedly…
“Clang!”
Overwhelming black and white sword shadows suddenly crashed over at this critical moment! However, hasty response—how could it match Shanxing’s long-planned staff strike?
“Whoosh whoosh!”
Endless sword shadows barely supported for an instant before being torn apart by frenzied staff shadows. In a moment, countless sword energies collapsed, and nothing could block the remaining staff shadows.
“Bang!”
The mighty staff strike landed solidly on the sword wielder, seemingly about to directly shatter his chest.
For a moment, Zuoliu only saw a white figure crash toward him.
With a “bang-thud,” the blood-stained white cloud could no longer control his body, crashing embarrassingly against the black iron cage!
The cage’s sharp spikes instantly pierced his body, hooking out striking bloody marks!
It was actually…
Bai Yin!
Having successfully avoided Shanxing’s staff strike, he had unhesitatingly returned to save Zuoliu, standing in front and taking Shanxing’s powerful blow!
Everyone was stunned.
This was completely different from the scenario they’d imagined.
No matter how important Zuoliu was, ultimately he was just a chess piece in the game between Yashan and Kunwu. How could it warrant Bai Yin, a Yashan disciple, risking his reputation and even his life?
Even Zuoliu himself couldn’t describe his feelings at this moment.
Watching Bai Yin stagger and turn over outside the cage, his heart felt like an overturned five-flavor bottle—extremely complex. His status as a prospective Yashan disciple hadn’t been told to anyone, fearing it would bring more trouble. With Senior Sister Jian Chou missing, no one would report to Yashan…
Why would Bai Yin still risk his life to protect him?
“Bai Yin… Senior Brother…”
Zuoliu’s voice was somewhat strained, but he didn’t know what to say upon opening his mouth.
Bai Yin ahead was filled with cold anger.
He heard Zuoliu’s voice but gave no response, only enduring the severe pain of his injuries, forcing himself to stand straight and glaring at Evil Monk Shanxing with overwhelming fury!
“What does the night sailing ship mean by this?!”
“Hahaha, Ritual Officer Liang truly predicted correctly—you indeed fell for it, hahaha…” Having succeeded with one strike, Shanxing was extremely pleased and couldn’t help laughing loudly: “How does it feel being forced to take my staff strike? Not pleasant, eh?”
This was a blatant trap, but also one Bai Yin couldn’t refuse.
In the previous battle, Liang Tingyu had seen Bai Yin’s regard for Zuoliu. Otherwise, why would he use risky tactics for such a minor character, deliberately revealing flaws to trick out Leng Guang’s weakness?
So before Shanxing entered the battle, she had already given instructions on the method.
Fight to a certain point, then directly attack Zuoliu, drawing Bai Yin to block.
If Bai Yin didn’t come, he would really strike down with his staff—Zuoliu wasn’t important to the night sailing ship anyway. If Bai Yin truly came to block, it would be exactly what they wanted.
Then Bai Yin would be passive no matter what, suffering loss either way.
This way, wouldn’t victory already be decided?
This scheme wasn’t particularly clever.
Many observers understood after thinking, but their hearts also sighed to the extreme: this was the legendary “fear of harming the innocent,” but what could be done?
No one expected the night sailing ship to be so shameless.
Even though the Star Sea was where desperados gathered, such “dirty” scheming and calculating was truly despicable. Compared to Bai Yin’s noble character, even they couldn’t help feeling contempt.
But Shanxing in the venue didn’t know others’ thoughts.
Looking at the disheveled Bai Yin, thinking of his successful scheme, thinking that he had actually defeated a Yashan disciple before everyone’s eyes, he couldn’t help feeling completely disdainful.
“What Bajian Sect or not—under my staff, all are trash!” Planting his long staff on the ground, Shanxing sneered mockingly, laughing even more wildly with extreme contempt: “Still Yashan? Bah, what garbage!”
“…”
Bai Yin, who hadn’t changed expression facing his opponent’s various provocations, immediately froze.
The two words “Yashan” were the faith of all Yashan disciples!
How could this despicable villain’s foul mouth be allowed to slander it wantonly?
His stiff fingers suddenly tightened, and strange bloodshot appeared in his eyes. An extremely dangerous feeling instantly emanated from him.
Bai Yin reached out to draw his sword again!
But at this moment, someone was faster than him!
And not just one person!
“Swish!”
“Swish!”
In a flash, a palm shadow and a blade shadow came from two different directions, one front and one back, both striking toward the just-boastful Evil Monk Shanxing!
Though the palm shadow struck first with considerable power, in terms of speed and momentum, it was slightly inferior to the following blade shadow.
The later arrived first!
Bai Yin didn’t even have time to strike again, only feeling that blade shadow approaching like lightning and thunder, fierce and vicious, incomparably bold—the blade’s back directly slapped Evil Monk Shanxing’s face!
“Slap!”
The extremely loud sound made people wonder if Shanxing’s entire massive head would be shattered by this blade!
Shanxing, still immersed in arrogance and joy, couldn’t react in time.
He only felt his vision blur, then darken, his entire face going numb. Then he felt nothing, his whole body thrown flying!
“Boom!”
Because his body was already thrown by the tremendous force, Shanxing luckily avoided the later palm strike. But his entire mountain-like massive body instantly crashed to the ground.
“Bang!”
Dust scattered everywhere!
Previously still showing off, he was directly slapped in the face with a blade’s back and thrown to the ground! No time for any reaction was given, naturally no chance to fight back existed!
Too strong!
Too ruthless!
Too humiliating!
Countless people in the Silver Tower looked at Shanxing, now lying on the ground with his face a bloody mess, completely dumbstruck.
Bai Yin on the Gean Platform was even more bewildered.
He was clearly the person closest to Shanxing, yet this palm shadow and blade shadow were faster than himself. What level of cultivation was this?
Shocked, he involuntarily raised his head toward the top floor.
If he remembered correctly, these two attacks came from different directions…
In this instant, the Silver Tower suddenly became extremely quiet.
On the highest floor closest to the vault, two chambers faced each other. The bamboo curtains hanging at their windows were damaged beyond recognition.
One was shattered to powder by passing palm force;
One had most of it sliced away by passing blade energy.
Thus, the people standing at the windows revealed their forms.
On one side was a cultivator in pale robes.
The posture from striking a palm hadn’t even been withdrawn yet. Seeing the opposite side at this moment, he was completely bewildered.
On the other side were a man and woman.
The male cultivator wore magnificent robes. Though he now seemed completely confused, everyone recognized him: noble young master Tantai Xiu.
The female cultivator beside him still had frost on her face, killing intent hidden in her eyes. But seeing the person who struck from the opposite side, she was also surprisingly stunned.
At this moment, both people had the same thought:
It’s actually him!
It’s actually her!
Wang Que’s brow immediately furrowed.
He only knew the opposite Jian Chou seemed to harbor some hostility toward Kunwu, but had never guessed her identity. Her displayed strength now made him somewhat wary.
Kunwu and Yashan had always been equally famous—how could a mere Evil Monk Shanxing be allowed to insult Yashan?
Wang Que couldn’t stand listening, so he struck in anger.
But what about her?
What was her reason?
Across the broad Gean Platform, Wang Que didn’t speak.
But Jian Chou recognized him.
After the initial moment of surprise and bewilderment, she quickly realized Wang Que’s strike probably carried some goodwill.
However…
What did it matter?
“Yashan affairs, Yashan handles. This matter doesn’t require Fellow Daoist Wang Que’s intervention.”
Speaking indifferently, as if not seeing Tantai Xiu’s shocked expression beside her, not seeing the complete bewilderment in Wang Que’s eyes, and not seeing the ghostly expression on fellow disciple Bai Yin’s face.
Jian Chou simply leaped down from the window, her body straight, landing on the Gean Platform!
All gazes—whether shocked or hesitant—fell upon her at this moment!
In a certain chamber, a hand holding a wine cup, fingers with slight calluses, suddenly trembled, creating shallow ripples in the cup…
Her.
Was this the “surprise” Hong Die mentioned?
At this moment, Jian Chou was undoubtedly the center of attention.
Here, almost no one had seen her before; here, no one knew her identity; here, no one could guess what she intended to do.
Bai Yin was bewildered.
But Zuoliu, still confined in the cage, was completely stunned.
From the moment he saw that flying blade shadow, he seemed frozen, unable to move. An indescribable sourness instantly surged to his heart…
The Deer-Cutting Blade.
This was the blade Senior Sister Jian Chou had obtained in Qingfeng Nunnery’s hidden realm!
He wouldn’t mistake it!
Expectation grew wildly in his heart.
But accompanying it was enormous fear—he was terrified that the blade was there, but the person wasn’t.
But all this fear dissipated like clouds and smoke the moment he saw Jian Chou appear at the window, saw her gracefully descend and land on the Gean Platform.
Sixty years, six decades.
In the crisis-ridden Silver Tower, one Senior Brother Bai Yin risked his life to save him; one Senior Sister Jian Chou came despite danger.
His eyes suddenly felt warm.
Zuoliu couldn’t control himself.
However, the next moment, a calming gaze came his way.
Jian Chou wasn’t close to him, but the first moment she came down, she noticed Zuoliu’s abnormality and gave him a comforting smile.
Nothing was a big deal.
Sixty years of hardship had allowed Zuoliu to grow to heights ordinary cultivators could hardly reach. In some sense, this was luck others couldn’t obtain even if they begged.
She wouldn’t feel any sadness for Zuoliu—on the contrary, she wanted to celebrate for him.
However, now wasn’t the time for such thoughts or reminiscing.
Jian Chou scanned the surroundings, her gaze lingering long on Liang Tingyu before slowly turning back to Evil Monk Shanxing.
Her blade strike was delivered in uncontrollable anger.
Besides strength, it contained no clever techniques or particularly devastating attacks. So Shanxing’s injuries weren’t actually severe.
After being slapped to the ground, following a period of numbness and dizziness, he finally felt that bone-piercing pain again and quickly regained consciousness.
Sneak attack!
Blade-back face slap!
In front of so many people in the Silver Tower, ending up in such an embarrassing state—how humiliating!
The thick prayer beads around Shanxing’s neck were covered with dust, and blood stains on his face had smeared onto his monk robes, adding to his ferocity.
He took a breath and stood up from the ground.
His palm gripping the eyebrow-level bronze staff was clenched tight, veins on his hand bulging like those on his forehead.
“Stinking bitch!”
After that slap, his tongue and teeth felt stuck together, his mouth full of blood. Shanxing cursed viciously, his most brutal nature triggered, his eyes completely blood-red.
“What the hell are you? Come to die for grandpa?”
Opening his mouth with “stinking bitch,” closing it with “grandpa.”
Jian Chou had seen foul-mouthed people, but such vulgarity was truly rare. Should she say his strength naturally made him arrogant, or had he simply never seen how high the sky was or how thick the earth?
Her rippling eyes slightly narrowed.
Thus, her long eye corners also slanted upward as usual, uniquely adding three parts of strange cold beauty.
“Asking about me?”
Jian Chou murmured as if to herself, but lightly beckoned with her hand. The Deer-Cutting Blade that had fallen on the Gean Platform flew back spiritually into her palm.
Between turning and flipping was rising killing intent!
“Me? A Yashan disciple, just an unknown nobody. Today—”
“I’m here to teach you how to be human!”