Chapter 213: Chapter 210 Five Finger Mountain Sword Discussion
"Heh, we are murderers, but who are you?" Yang Ji could not help but sneer.
Jiang Li replied unperturbed, "Heluo God is the murderer, what does that have to do with me, Jiang Li?"
Though the uncle deserved to die, given Jiang Li’s kind heart, how could he bear to strike?
It must have been the work of the demonic people from the Devil God Sect.
"The murderer is Heluo God, what does that have to do with us?" Yang Ji applied the same logic back to them.
Everyone involved was in disguise, and even those who weren’t didn’t care. So you see, all the wicked deeds were done by Heluo God, wasn’t everyone present a decent person?
"Excellent," Jiang Li clapped his hands, "Since none of us belongs to the demonic outsiders of the Devil God Sect, please don’t hinder me from handling my uncle’s inheritance."
Round and round they went, and the conversation came back to Jiang Li rightfully taking his uncle’s inheritance.
Everyone being decent, they should kindly let Jiang retrieve his uncle’s inheritance, to soothe his spirit in heaven.
"Amitabha," the Hui Lun Monk couldn’t help but express admiration, "Tan Yue truly has a way with words."
"Unfortunately, no matter how eloquent, it cannot block swords and killings," Yang Ji pressed down his rising blood pressure and stated with calm and sharp purpose, "Jiang Li, if I were you, I would leave immediately to avoid unforeseen misfortune."
Jiang Li had already lost his safety net, which was a fact that Ji Chengye had revealed long ago. If others used their killing moves on Jiang Li, his death would be certain.
This was a covert use of psychological tactics, putting pressure on Jiang Li, while also reminding the others not to overlook this because of his previously demonstrated strength.
"Young Master Yang has also exhausted his means of preservation."
Jiang Li smiled slightly, looking around at everyone, "And as cultivators, we should be brave and strive forward, daring to compete with Heaven itself. If one frets over lost retreats, then he is nothing more than that."
Jiang, with his hidden cards still up his sleeve, appeared honest and open, his words of lofty aspirations touching the hearts of many.
Even Yang Ji, who had been severely injured by Jiang Li before, had to admit at this moment that Jiang Li’s mental state had surpassed his own, feeling somewhat ashamed.
Though this feeling was fleeting, Yang Ji still felt inwardly solemn.
In a life-and-death struggle, there must be no flaws, especially when facing someone like Jiang Li, who seemed able to peer into one’s soul. This slight inferiority might become a significant factor in their next confrontation, influencing the outcome.
Regardless of whether Jiang Li’s words were true or false, at this moment, he had gained the upper hand in this battle of wits with Yang Ji.
"As cultivators, let’s speak through our abilities," Zhong Shenxiu said indifferently, "If you surpass I, Zhong, I will offer both hands at the Ghost Gate."
His words implied not to rely on life-preserving measures, as they are not a true show of ability but external help.
Zhong Shenxiu wouldn’t strike a deadly blow at Jiang Li, not only because Jiang Li had not wronged him but also because Jiang Li was a member of the Dinghu Sect.
Dinghu Sect and the court are, in a sense, of one body, and the Imperial College also falls under the court’s jurisdiction. Although Zhong Shenxiu sought to control Ghost Gate without letting Dinghu Sect succeed, if Dinghu Sect did claim it, it wouldn’t be unacceptable positionally.
"These are wise words." Zhang Daoyi nodded.
As he spoke, Zhang Daoyi subtly distanced himself from Yuan Zhen.
He suspected Yuan Zhen had detected Jiang Li’s secret message, which caused his mental state to fall into disarray, giving Jiang Li the chance to escape. But the question was—why would Yuan Zhen’s mental state falter?
Could it be that what Jiang Li said was true?
He hesitated about this doubt, but could not ask directly, as that would be too embarrassing.
For Yuan Zhen’s part, he couldn’t directly ask Zhang Daoyi–"Do you know I once secretly collaborated with Ji Chengye?"
Thus, a subtle guard arose.
Zhang Daoyi actually didn’t trust Yuan Zhen’s good-natured demeanor, but precaution couldn’t be ignored, even in doubt, it was necessary to remain cautious.
Yuan Zhen noticed Zhang Daoyi’s slight guard and felt a twitch on his face, worrying, "He might believe it."
Still, he composed himself and said aloud, "The life-preserving methods granted by our master are for our safety, not for slaying our peers; if they can be avoided, they certainly should be."
Although there were tensions between the Three Pure Ones Sect and the Three Emperors Sect, outright confrontation wouldn’t be acceptable.
And compared to these tensions, the disagreements between the Daode Sect and Buddha Country were deeper.
Years ago, Daoist Lord Li Boyang went west to Buddha Country and converted a monk. That monk later became known as one of the supreme powerhouses, the master of the Fire House Buddha Hell, restraining the Awakened of Buddha Country for many years and preventing the spread of Buddhist law eastwards.
For this reason, the people of the Buddha Country saw the Daode Sect as a lifelong enemy, their animosity second only to that for the Fire House Buddha Hell.
That’s also why Hui Lun had intervened earlier to restrain Zhang Daoyi and Yuan Zhen, preventing them from gaining renown by praying for rain.
If it really came to using deadly moves, these two would first target the people of Buddha Country.
Those from the Buddha Country would then target the people of the Taiping Sect, with Yang Ji, Jiang Li, and Zhong Shenxiu being their last concerns.
Thus, the scenario Yang Ji envisaged from the start was unfeasible, the intricate web of allegiances forcing everyone to be cautious, unwilling to readily sacrifice their trump cards.
"Amitabha, this monk also shares the same sentiment."
Hui Lun expressed—he felt the same.
Meaning, without using life-preserving trump cards, they would simply compete on their own strength, not endangering lives, otherwise, it would force people to use their deadly trump cards.
In short, the rules were simple—stop when a point was made.
Everyone present was intelligent. They almost instantly understood the unspoken meaning, and a fierce, stirring emotion simultaneously surged in their hearts, filling them with fervor.
They set aside all other calculations for the moment and decided to rely solely on their own strength to compare their skills with their peers.
Even Yang Ji, who had intended to stir the waters, couldn’t help but feel passionate, and even Hui Lun Monk, a cultivator from the Buddhist sects, felt eager to try.
Zhang Daoyi was the first to step forward. His figure flashed as if shrinking the ground beneath his feet, and in an instant, he arrived in front of Ghost Gate. He declared loudly, "Let me throw the first stone to attract jade; I’ll be the first to take the stage."
As he spoke, his gaze swept over the crowd and finally settled on Yang Ji.
"Daoist Yang, would you dare to compete with me?" Zhang Daoyi challenged him.
While he spoke, fluctuations of Qi Mechanism surrounded Zhang Daoyi, and faint phantoms flickered around him, ultimately solidifying into an image with flowing robes, harmonized with heaven and earth.
A Qi Refiner!
Moreover...
’Three shadows appeared around him, the Qi Refiner being the third,’ Jiang Li thought silently, ’Seventh Rank.’
Zhang Daoyi embodied three different Dao Fruits. This disciple of a Daoist Lord had a true Realm the same as Jiang Li’s—both were at the Seventh Rank.
However, the immense Qi Mechanism he had earlier displayed was undoubtedly no less than that of any Sixth Rank, and even seemed slightly superior.
It wasn’t just Jiang Li; others also perceived Zhang Daoyi’s true Realm. Some were amazed, some disbelieving, and others frustrated.
Yang Ji was among the frustrated.
For a Seventh Rank to challenge a Sixth Rank, Yang Ji couldn’t refuse without tarnishing his reputation and losing the title of Taiping Sect’s Young Master. Yet, Zhang Daoyi, ignoring other Seventh Ranks like Jiang Li, Zhong Shenxiu, and Hui Lun Monk, specifically chose to challenge him.
It was hard not to suspect that he was picking on the weaker opposition.
Anger surged in Yang Ji’s heart, but after all, he was the Taiping Sect’s Young Master, and he did not lose his composure.
"Very well."
With a simple acceptance, his figure flashed like lightning, moving opposite Zhang Daoyi. Thunder intertwined around his body, and his eyes gleamed with electric light.
"Let this sect leader see whether a disciple of a Daoist Lord can match the grandchild of a Daoist Lord."
As Yang Ji spoke, the sound of thunder roared, and a bolt from the blue streaked across the sky. Countless silver electric snakes intertwined, forming eyes which slowly opened above Yang Ji’s head.
"Boom!"
The evening’s scarlet was replaced by bright electric light, and a thundercloud quietly condensed overhead.
Yang Ji stood atop the mountain, mastering the Thunder Eye, his intentions invoking thunder, akin to a Thunder God descending, his formidable presence stirring with the thunder, fierce and commanding, the electric light twisting like dragons and snakes.
His aura, his momentum, and his authority all climbed to their peak, thunder roaring, echoing between heaven and earth, and even resonating within the soul, causing an involuntary shudder.
However—
"Whoosh!"
The roaring of the thunder seemed to turn into a wail, as an overwhelming force suppressed the formidable heavenly might.
Zhang Daoyi achieved Unity of Heaven and Man, his Mental State merging with all things, utterly fearless of the thunderous might. Yin Yang Qi swirled around him, suddenly transforming into dragons and tigers, soaring and roaring, continuously growing stronger.
"Heaven and Earth Qi?!"
Yang Ji’s eyes widened in disbelief. "How is that possible?"
Merging with Heaven and Earth, becoming one with it, every movement harnessed the Heaven and Earth Qi, the powerful force overwhelming like an avalanche overpowering the thunderous heavenly might.
This was a scene absolutely impossible in this era, a ludicrous sight to behold.
Unity of Heaven and Man, drawing upon the Heaven and Earth Qi, turning the forces of nature to his use. Even without a Dao Fruit to raise his limit, Zhang Daoyi could still break through, continuously enhancing his Realm by absorbing Heaven and Earth Qi.
This was an ancient method long abandoned, yet it manifested in Zhang Daoyi.
Therefore, even though Zhang Daoyi was still at the Seventh Rank, his power was no less than that of the Sixth Rank, and even superior in quality. The only difference between Zhang Daoyi and a Sixth Rank was that he did not possess the ability of a Sixth Rank Dao Fruit.
"My fellow Daoist, please go ahead."
Zhang Daoyi stated softly, flinging his sleeve, grasping an ancient-looking long sword that appeared, gathering the Yin Yang Qi. The sword momentum flowed like a gentle stream, endlessly, yet burst forth in an instant like a mighty river surging forth powerfully.
The ground suddenly cracked, deep sword marks splitting the earth and rapidly spreading towards Yang Ji.
The air tore apart, creating a massive void, allowing the long river of Sword Qi to surge forth. Above Yang Ji’s head, the churning thunderclouds silently parted.
Sword Qi surged for tens of meters, tearing through the heavens and earth, altering the weather!
The peerless sword momentum, the immense Sword Qi, the terrifying Sword Intent, with Zhang Daoyi’s first strike, a shocking sword moved above all—momentum, Qi, and Intent, all dominant over Yang Ji, causing his pupils to constrict, his body’s thunder echoing the shock spreading through his heart.
"Boom!"
A ring of Thunder whirled around him, colliding with the Sword Qi.